Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 8 – 9, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

Forecasters are using caution in large Alpine and Treeline terrain. Wind slabs seem ripe for human triggering.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Storm/wind slabs between 40 and 65cm thick are found in lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above. Natural avalanche activity associated to this problem continues, and many slopes appear primed for human-triggering.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Several cornice failures over the past week have triggered deep and large avalanches.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    An avalanche initiated in the upper snowpack could step down to a deeper weak layer.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Winds will be light form the south and alpine temperatures will reach a high of -13 °C. A storm is approaching for Friday and could bring 10 to 15cm of snow with moderate westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle continues with slides up to size 3.0 occurring in steep Alpine and Treeline terrain on SE, E, NE and N aspects. Some avalanches are running full path.

Snowpack Summary

Trace to 3cm of new snow in the past 24hrs. Variable wind effect in Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Cornices are large and several failures have occurred in recent days. The mid-pack remains supportive, but the basal weak layer persist.

Regions covered