Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 22 – 23, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Challenging ski conditions at the moment, but travel conditions are good when the snowpack is still frozen. Start early and finish early.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Wind slabs are prominent in alpine terrain and extend into isolated areas at treeline. Watch for this problem in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Solar radiation is strong at this time of year and warm daytime temperatures are leading to moist snow at lower elevations. These conditions can quickly lead to a rise in avalanche hazard.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–5
    The basal weaknesses persist. Concern remains for triggering in steep and shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Monday will bring cloudy skies and very light flurries. Winds will be from the west at 25km/h gusting to 50km/h. Alpine temperatures will reach -1 Celsius and freezing levels will climb to 2100m.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet up to size 1.0 on steep terrain on all aspects below treeline as well as on solar aspects up to mountain top.

Snowpack Summary

Light rain up to 2300m on Saturday has formed rain crusts on all aspects that are not supportive to the weight of a skier at lower elevations. Solar input today began to break down these crusts in the afternoon on solar aspects. Previously formed sun crusts exist up to 2800m on solar aspects. Yesterday's rain turned to snow overnight and between 4 and 7cm fell at treeline. Previously formed wind slabs are still prominent in alpine areas and isolated areas at upper treeline elevations. Watch for these slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Basal weaknesses remain a concern, particularly in steep and shallow snowpack features.

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