Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 15 – 16, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

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

Despite the Moderate hazard rating, forecasters are still making conservative choices in Alpine terrain. The deeply buried weak layers are not going to heal quickly!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Snow and wind over the past week have created wind slabs up to 35cm thick immediately below ridge crests on all aspects. These slabs are on all aspects as a result of the Northerly flow this past week.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    More likely to be triggered from thinner areas and step down to the basal facets and involve the entire winters snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Monday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Temperatures will reach -6 °C in the Alpine with strong Westerly winds. A weak system is approaching on Tuesday with light snowfall accumulations expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in past 25hrs.

Confidence

High -

Snowpack Summary

Variable depth wind slabs are found in Alpine terrain and just down into Treeline. Recent snowpack tests indicate failures in the moderate range down 35cm, as well as on the Nov crust layer buried deeply in the snowpack. Much of the snowpack is very weak and facetted, especially at lower elevations. Any avalanche that is initiated in the upper snowpack will likely step down and involve the entire snowpack.

Regions covered