Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 23 – 24, 2013Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The slow increase in avalanche hazard continues. Not a huge increase in the hazard, but we are still expecting things to get worse before they get better. Today's field trip noted especially variable conditions. Choose terrain carefully. MM

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Soft slabs are present in lee and cross-loaded features in the ALP and the upper reaches of TL. The hard slab created in January is the foundation for these new slabs. The smooth character of that hard slab is making this a poor bonding layer. 

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The low density storm snow is being pushed and forming soft storm slabs. These are mostly limited to ridgeline, however they have been found in isolated open slopes at the upper limit of TL.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

We'll be coasting for another day on the same weather pattern as the last 24hrs. Very light precip and sustained westerly winds in the alpine. Overnight Sunday another wave of precip will move through. By Tuesday morning up to 14cm are expected. As this wave wears out, the winds will shift to the north, but decrease in speed.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose dry out of extreme alpine terrain. These have run fast and entrained a fair amount of snow. This cycle seems to over. Isolated windslabs have also pulled out. They are generally small and isolated to ridge crests in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow has come in a series of weak storms in the last 48hrs. Strong winds accompanied the snow. There are windslabs building at TL & ALP, on all N to E asp. These new slabs are the latest in a series of slab building events. There are now up to 4 different slabs lurking beneath the surface. These sit on the hardslab that was created weeks ago. This layer is the one we are watching closely. Cornices have been growing lately.

Regions covered