Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 24 – 25, 2018Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Until we get more snow, ski conditions will remain challenging. On the upside, avalanche hazard is improving with each day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    Facetting is helping ease this problem at treeline. The alpine on the other hand is still covered in windslabs of varying densities.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5
    Large triggers are a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tonight will be clear, with temps dipping to -18C and moderate ridge top winds. Tomorrow looks like another windy day up high. Gusts to 55km/hr are expected. There is a mild pulse of snow rolling through tomorrow morning. Only 6cm expected. Daytime high of -12.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing today

Snowpack Summary

Below treeline has really felt the cold. Any area that was loose snow prior to the cold is now weak and facetted. This isn't a bad thing, many windslabs have lost their cohesiveness thanks to that cold snap. At treeline the wind slabs are immediately noticeable once exposed terrain is reached. For the most part these slabs are thin and sometimes breakable. Steep, unsupported terrain may have reactive windslabs lurking, but for the most part the slabs are well bonded to underlying layers. The alpine. Judging from today's trip, it takes a brave soul to do battle with the current windslabs. They are widespread and either breakable or eerily hollow under foot. These feel as though they could be triggered from shallow, transitional areas.

Regions covered