Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 10 – 11, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for fresh wind slabs in the Alpine. Ice climbers should also be cautious with overhead terrain as several loose dry avalanches were observed today in gully features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Recent snow and wind have created fresh wind slabs immediately below ridge crests on all aspects.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    These slabs are failing down 30-50cm at the main density change. Human triggering from a thin snowpack area is a definite possibility.

  • 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 November crust producing larger avalanches.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A clearing trend is expected for the next few days. Temperatures are expected to moderate with a high of -14 °C expected Wednesday. Winds will be out of the N to NW in the light to moderate range. No precipitation is expected for the rest of the week.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered slabs up to size 2.5 in the Alpine on all aspects. The majority of these avalanches are associated with the recently formed wind slabs, but a few failed deeper on the Dec 18th interface. In addition numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5 have occurred over the past 24hrs in steep Alpine terrain on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Another 10cm of new snow in the past 24hrs brings storm snow totals to near 20cm. Variable wind effect in the Alpine, with pockets of fresh wind slab immediately below ridge-crest. The Dec 18th interface is buried 40 to 70cm at Treeline and remains a concern for human triggering. The Nov crust is buried up to 100cm deep and is exhibiting facetting both above and below the crust. At lower elevations the snowpack is weak and unsupportive due to prolonged periods of facetting.

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