Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Recent strong winds with lots of new snow has heightened the avalanche hazard. This is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Avalanche Summary
Naturally triggered slab avalanche activity up to size 2.5 has occurred in the past 24 hours. Most of these slides occurred on N and E aspects in alpine terrain, but in some areas the slides have run to the end of their run-outs at lower elevations. Loose dry avalanches up to size 2.0 have also been observed in steep Alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
An average of 30cm of new snow fell overnight at Treeline overnight. This snowfall was coupled with strong to extreme SW winds which has led to widespread wind slab formation in lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and Alpine elevations. Most windward aspects have been stripped down to bare rock. Natural avalanche activity is ongoing (see avalanche activity discussion below) and conditions are ripe for human-triggering. The Halloween crust is now buried up to 80cm at 2400m and has shown signs of facetting. Recent snowpack tests show a failure immediately underneath the crust, that will be something to watch in the weeks to come.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday will be snowy with accumulations near 8cm. Winds will continue to be strong from the SW. Temperatures are expected to be mild for a couple of days with a high of -1 C tomorrow and then freezing levels rising to 2600m on Wednesday with rain/snow in the forecast.
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Wind slabs are found on lee and cross-loaded features. Further slab development will occur through the night due to an intense storm that is moving through.