Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 16 – 17, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

A natural avalanche cycle is expected if the weather forecast comes true. Extensive wind loading is ongoing due to West winds in the 100km/h range. Conservative route selection is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Avalanches could step down to the October crust (or the ground) and involve the entire winters snowpack, especially in shallow snowpack areas.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Recent snow and strong to extreme SW winds have created storm slabs at all elevations. These slabs are increasingly touchy especially at higher elevations, and are expected to get more pronounced with the incoming storm.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Up to 15cm of snow is expected on Tuesday with winds out of the west expected to reach 105km/h. Temperatures remain generally mild. By Thursday a clearing and cooling trend is expected.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered avalanches up to size 1.5 have occurred in steep cross-loaded gully features in the past 48hrs. It is likely that these avalanches were triggered by intense wind loading.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10cm of new snow has fallen in the past 48hrs. This snow is being rapidly re-distributed by extreme winds out of the SW. Storm slabs are forming at all elevations and are touchy to triggering in lee and cross-loaded features. Some cornice growth has also been observed.

Regions covered