Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 12 – 13, 2015Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Warm temps and the lack of a solid overnight freeze are keeping the hazard elevated. Watch for signs of instability at treeline. Whumphing and cracking are still being observed.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–4
    The slow bond with underlying layers is keeping this interface as the main problem. Assess steep terrain at treeline carefully.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    These are a likely trigger for the deeper instabilities. Give them lots of room and anticipate big propagations if one should collapse and trigger the slope below.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–6
    Large triggers are a concern with this layer as well as thin areas.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Another warm day is expected. Freezing levels will hit 2100m. There will be some cloud, but the sun could make brief appearances. Watch for solar heating in south and southwest slopes. Alpine highs will reach -1, and the winds will be moderate from the west. No new snow is expected until later in the week.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches today

Snowpack Summary

Sustained temperatures above zero have left the snowpack below 2100m moist. There has been some overnight recovery with light freezes, but by early afternoon the refreeze is pretty much gone. At treeline the story changes a little bit. While cooler, the snowpack has settled considerably and bonded the surface layers. Whumphing is still ongoing in open treeline areas. Alpine elevations have seen some wind and the development of new windslabs. Many crowns from last week's cycle have blown in. Treeline snow depths vary from 160-180.

Regions covered