Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 8 – 9, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

This is the time to pull back as the natural cycle is tapering off. Skier triggering is likely with all of the wind slabs in the alpine and tree line.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs are everywhere in the Alpine and in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline. Human triggering is very likely.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are large and fragile. If triggered, a cornice failure may trigger a wind slab or a deep persistent slab on the slopes below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–4

    With the recent loading, this layer may become more active. Triggering is more likely is shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Monday is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud with moderate westerly winds. First thing in the morning in the alpine, the temperature will be -20c and rising to -9c as a high.  

Avalanche Summary

The natural avalanche cycle continued on Sunday with numerous avalanches up to size 3 on all aspects and at all elevations. Mount Rundle was controlled by explosives on Sunday, producing large slides that covered the road.  

Snowpack Summary

This recent storm has left us with 70-90cm of snow. This storm came in with lots of wind, thus the alpine is dominated by wind slabs, while treeline saw a lot of slab conditions in lee and cross loaded terrain. Expect some areas of wind drifting to be over one meter. Sunday saw a natural avalanche cycle, along with large results during explosive control. It will take some time for this recent storm snow to stabilize. At this time of year, solar radiation can be a huge factor for triggering natural avalanches on sun exposed slopes.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Extra caution is needed around cornices under the current conditions.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.

Regions covered