Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Lots of variability in the amounts of snow for valley to valley. With increased winds there is a lot of snow available for transport. Wind slabs in the new snow is a concern in open terrain. Lots of probing to feel the amount of snow that is sitting on the variety of surfaces.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
We are in a bit of a warming trend. Sunday will bring a more cloud cover along with stronger SW winds. There is snow in the forecast starting Sunday mid day. Looks like we are into a few day of unsettled weather which should bring some new snow.
Avalanche Summary
A few loose dry out of steep terrain. Couple of cornice failures not pulling any slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Thursday nights snow amounts very from valley to valley 15-40 cm. This sits on a variety of old surfaces that will be slow to bond with the new snow. Avalanches are more likely in areas that have been affected from the wind or sun and the new snow becomes more cohesive, developing slab character. It will take VERY little input for this to become a slab problem. There is lots of low density snow available for transport and lee loading.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Cornices may release remotely when approached.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
There will be new wind slabs the moment the winds pick up. These will be the most concerning, but remember that we have buried windslabs that may be triggerable in steep convex areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5