Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Nov 21 – 22, 2017Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Rising temps, rapid loading and high winds are a recipe for a natural avalanche cycle. If the forecast holds true, limit your exposure to avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Intense transport has continued to build the wind slabs. These slabs are reactive on the Oct 31 crust as well as older snow interfaces. Re-loading should be a concern. Expect to come upon these slabs suddenly as you approach upper treeline.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will increase as the next storm approaches. Overnight lows will be -4 and freezing levels will rise to 3000m by tomorrow. Snow and wind is expected with this latest front. 8cm tonight, 10cm tomorrow & 35cm on Thursday. Westerly winds will range from 45-70km/hr with gusts up to 80km/hr!

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today. The extent of the last cycle was quite broad. Many paths have recently avalanched up to sz 2.5. These have all gone surprisingly far.

Snowpack Summary

The recent snowfall has settled significantly in the last 24hrs. At treeline there is 40cm of storm snow, followed by a denser windslab. The Halloween crust is down 80cm at treeline and in stability tests, it's failing just below. Above treeline, it's important to note the ongoing wind loading and how it rapidly the snowpack changes in windy areas. Alpine areas have extensive wind slabs. The recent cycle has been failing on the Halloween crust, which appears to extend quite far into the alpine

Regions covered