Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 20 – 21, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Weather forecasts are inconsistent with how clear the skies will be for the next couple of days. During sunny periods avoid exposure to steep solar aspects and don't hang out below cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Variable depth and density of wind slabs throughout the Alpine. These are most concerning in steep, convex and unsupported terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    This is a classic "low probability, high consequence" problem. While it is difficult to trigger, resulting avalanches will be very large. Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more of a concern.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday should be a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around -5 in the Alpine. Winds will steadily increase through the day, eventually reaching 75km/h from the West. Friday will also be windy.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated solar triggered sluffing up to size 1.0 on steep solar aspetcs.

Snowpack Summary

Expect to find moist snow on sheltered solar aspects, particularly at lower elevations. This will freeze into a thin crust by morning. Alpine areas are exhibiting widely variable wind slab conditions with everything from no wind effect to hard wind slabs to sastrugi. At Treeline and below soft snow and good skiing can be found in sheltered areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

Regions covered