Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Feb 26 – 27, 2013Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Windslabs remain the greatest concern with persistent westerly winds in the moderate range.  As the week progresses and forecast warming occurs it may become necessary to pay close attention to the effects of daytime heating on solar aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–5
    Soft slabs at treeline and have become more sensitive to human triggering, especially in lee and cross-loaded features just below ridgeline. Alpine areas are scoured with areas of hard slab and soft slab. Increased cornice development taking place. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Buried wind slabs (originally formed in late January) are still are concern in steep features in the alpine and at treeline. These slabs are found down 30 to 60cm in the snowpack and are likely more trigger-able from shallow snowpack areas.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow from past few days slowly adding up with 10-15cm low density snow in sheltered areas.  Several test profiles done today with consistent results - CTM14-16 (PC) down @15+ cm on top of old windslabs and CTH24 (SP) down 30-35cm on Jan hardslab interface.

Confidence

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Temperatures at 3000m cool in the -15 deg range until midday Thursday when they begin to climb to the -5 deg range.  A chance of a quick pulse of new snow on Wednesday night but amounts of only 2-4cm likely.  Moderate westerly winds increasing to strong/extreme by Wednesday night into Thursday and after that the winds really go to town with the warmer air and are forecast to top over 100 km/h by Friday.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry sluffs to Size 1.5 from steeper lee aspects with small cornice failures the trigger for some

Regions covered