Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Jan 29 – 30, 2017Alberta Parks
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ski quality is generally poor, and widespread wind slabs overlie a weak snowpack. Large Alpine slopes should be avoided.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent extreme westerly winds have created thin wind slabs to add to the existing wind slabs already out there. It is possible to trigger a smaller surface slab that could then step down to a deeper weak layer.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    If this layers if triggered, there is a likelihood of entraining the entire snowpack with it causing a large avalanche.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The big concern is that if anything gets triggered within the snowpack, then the avalanche will step down to the weak basal facets and involve the entire winter's snowpack.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is pushing into the region over the next couple of days bringing sunnier conditions and cooler temps.  Wednesday will still see strong westerly winds and temperatures near -13 °C, before the winds swap to the the north on Thursday with temperatures closer to -20 °C. There is no precipitation expected this week.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is settling with the warm temperatures. Wind slabs are widespread in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine and in open areas at Treeline due to recent extreme westerly winds. These slabs sit on a weak and faceted mid-pack and basal layers. The snowpack at lower elevations remains shallow, weak and facetted and only supports the weight of a skier on previously established paths.

Regions covered