Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 30 – 31, 2020Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Even warmer temps on the way for later in the week. It won't take much for the avalanche scales to tip with respect to weather inputs. Watch for rapid warming, especially if the sun comes out.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There are several generations of wind slabs that need some more time to heal.  

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    It is worth to dig a pit to ground to see the severity of this basal layer. If it hasnt yet slid, treat it with a high degree of suspicion and respect. If it goes, it will be big. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Flurries tomorrow with no significant accumulation. Temps will hit -7 as the afternoon high. The winds will be mostly light, but picking up in the late afternoon to 100K+ in the high alpine.

Avalanche Summary

There was a size 2.5 in the alpine last night or early this morning on Mt. Burstall. It was a high, NE facing slope above the French Glacier.

Snowpack Summary

Wind last night caused another round of rapid loading in the alpine and treeline. Things generally look scoured and worked by the wind. We are in need of fresh snow! The new windslabs are concerning as they are poorly bonded for now and stiff in character. The other concern is still the deep layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.

Regions covered