Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 26 – 27, 2019Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The last time it warmed up (about a week ago), the region experienced a bit of an avalanche cycle. Wednesday is expected to be mild, so watch localized conditions in case history repeats itself.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Alpine areas have been ravaged by the wind, so wind slabs are everywhere. Not only do they make for bad skiing, but in certain features they feel quite triggerable.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    With the first warm day in a while, watch for solar triggered sluffing from steep sunny slopes. These may or may not be an issue in themselves, but could trigger a slab on the slopes below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3
    This problem is a "low probability, high consequence" situation. While difficult to trigger, if the layer does fail it will result in a full depth avalanche.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be the first milder we've had for quite some time, with temperatures reaching a relatively balmy -8. Light NE winds, no snow and generally sunny conditions can be expected. Late Thursday and into Friday some very light flurries are possible.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated natural slab avalanche activity has occurred in the past 24 to 48 hours on E and NE aspects in the Alpine. These slabs are associated with our current wind slab problem and are failing 40 to 50cm deep and running up to size 2.0.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect and wind slabs in the Alpine on all aspects (as long as the slope hasn't been blown down to rock). These slabs disappear quite quickly as you descend into Treeline. The prolonged and significant cold period continues to facet the snowpack at all elevations, which is particularly problematic in shallow snowpack areas and/or at lower elevations where foot/ski penetration to ground is a real possibility.

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