Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 27 – 28, 2014Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Our trademark winds still haven't shown up. The wind's arrival will determine the avalanche hazard in either direction. Be aware of changing conditions, and watch for wind transported snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    This layer is sandwiched between the new storm slabs and the Feb 10th. Not a lot of action with these windslabs lately, but the potential is still there. Steep rolls at treeline are a likely area to find them.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–5
    We have seen enough activity on this layer recently to keep it as a major concern in bigger terrain. Thin coverage areas are a likely trigger point, as are large triggers (ie cornice).

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    These slabs are very soft at the moment, but that will change with the expected wind overnight. Immediate lee areas are concerning at the moment, but as the winds increase these slabs may also develop well below ridge lines.

Confidence

Fair - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Light snow is expected overnight. Amounts do not appear to be significant, only 5cm of low density convective snow. Tomorrow's skies will be thin overcast, so we can expect there to be quite a bit of solar radiation. The temperatures will stay cool at -8 in the alpine. The winds will make an appearance tonight and rise to moderate levels. Our forecast shows 50km/r at 3000m as of tomorrow morning.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of sluffing out of very steep terrain in the alpine. For the most part, these did not run very far, or gain much mass. There was some limited avalanche activity on the windslab interface in the alpine. A few avalanches were noted on East aspects out of thin snowpack areas. A large size 2 was the biggest.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries throughout the day added to the new snow from the week. The totals now add up to 50cm's at treeline. We are still waiting for the winds to redistribute it. In the meantime the surface snow is still free of windslabs. There was some sluffing within the new snow, however this was limited to very steep terrain in the alpine. The crusts from a couple of days ago are now down 15cm's at treeline. The solar radiation has bonded those layers. The windslabs are down 50-60 and are also bonding well at treeline. The Feb 10th is down 130-140.

Regions covered