Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 9 – 10, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Approach treeline and the alpine with caution as the wind slabs are touchy for triggering avalanches. Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs are everywhere in the Alpine and in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline. Human triggering is very likely.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are large and fragile. If triggered, a cornice failure may trigger a wind slab or a deep persistent slab on the slopes below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4

    With the recent loading, this layer may become more active. Triggering is more likely is shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is forecast for a mix of cloud and sun with light flurries. Winds are expected in the 60-100 km/h range from the SW. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 1200-1500m on Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported but things are touchy right now at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

This recent storm has left us with 70-90cm of snow. This storm came in with lots of wind, thus the alpine is dominated by wind slabs, while treeline saw a lot of slab conditions in lee and cross loaded terrain. Expect some areas of wind drifting to be over one meter. More strong wind is forecast for Tuesday to only add to our already widespread wind slabs. As recent as Sunday, there was a natural avalanche cycle and it will take some time for this recent storm snow to stabilize. At this time of year, solar radiation can be a huge factor for triggering natural avalanches on sun exposed slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.

Regions covered