Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 2 – 3, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Another 15 to 20cm of snow will add to the already 40cm+ of storm snow. The recent snowfall, winds and warm temps have led to widespread storm slab and cornice development. Avalanche activity will continue Sunday. It's time for conservative choices!

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Cornices have grown significantly in the past 48hrs and several cornice failures occurred today which triggered slab avalanches on the slopes below.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Forecasted heavy snowfall and moderate winds will lead to sluffing from steep terrain at all elevations.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–5
    An additional 20cm+ in the next 24hrs will add to the already 40cm of storm snow. Slab development is extensive in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Prime conditions exist for human triggering.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

5 to 10cm of snow (rain at lower elevations) is possible overnight Saturday with temperatures slowly dropping. Sunday could bring another 10cm under cooler conditions. winds will be moderate and variable, swapping form the NW to the NE. The storm should end by midnight on Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Several cornice triggered and naturally triggered slabs were observed today up to size 2.0. These occurred mostly on SE and NE aspects mostly in alpine start zones. Most of the slides observed had significant run-outs. Loose wet avalanches at lower altitudes were also observed today on all aspects up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 25cm of heavy, dense snow fell overnight with storm snow totals now near 40cm at treeline. Widespread storm slab development in alpine and treeline areas. Cornices are growing and several cornice collapses were observed today. Moist snow exists below 1900m due to light rain through the day.

Regions covered