Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 11 – 12, 2014Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Danger levels are rising as a significant storm moves into the area overnight. Strong westerly winds will continue to build storm slabs through the day on Wednesday. Cautious route selection is strongly recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Rapid snow loading will lead to sluffing in steep terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Storm slabs are developing on lee aspects. While these slabs are not yet very deep, Wednesday's storm will continue to add to the load. These storm slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggering as the day goes on.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–5
    The basal weakness remains, and incoming snow and wind may lead to a re-awakening of this problem. Large terrain features should be avoided.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast is uncertain, but the region could see between 15 and 20cm of new snow by the end of Wednesday with a further 15cm on Thursday. Temperatures for Wednesday should reach -7C and winds will be strong to extreme from the West.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated natural activity (both loose dry and storm slabs) was observed in steep Alpine terrain on N and E aspects up to size 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

Highly variable new snow amounts (2 to 4cm in valley bottom, 10 to 15cm at Treeline) overlie a wide variety of previous surfaces which include sun crust, surface hoar, facets, wind slab and bare ground. Storm slabs are forming in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. The mid pack remains strong in most areas and the basal facets persist.

Regions covered