Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 8 – 9, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ski quality is still poor in the alpine. Treeline and below is the place to look for turns these days.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4
    Yesterday's wind created slabs on all eastern aspects. Some isolated natural activity suggests these are easily triggered. Be cautious in steep terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The windslabs sitting on the crust are a concern on steep, open areas at upper treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    This bottom layer has turned into a classic rockies base. It is weak in all areas. Caution in steep, shallow areas.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will rise to -8 tomorrow. The winds will light to moderate at all elevations, No snow is expected.

Avalanche Summary

2 avalanches were noted: A sz2 on a steep E aspect & a sz2.5 on a steep, E asp in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Forecasters made it up to 2300m today to inspect the alpine. The snow depth was 165cm's. The Dec 13th crust was there, but weak and decomposing. Stabillity tests showed a weakness down 50-60cm's on this crust. As expected, the winds have created windslabs 2400m and above. At lower elevations, the warm temperatures from yesterday did not have a huge impact. No new crusts formed.

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