Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Snow and wind are on the way. Be prepared for an increase in avalanche danger.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
New snow will sluff easily in steeper terrain at higher elevations as well as below 2150m where the weak layer of large surface hoar crystals exists.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
- Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problem 3: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
This layer is widespread in terms of its location in the terrain. The new snow load will not likely be enough to activate this layer yet, but be cautious of thin areas where triggering may be more possible.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported for at least 1 week.
Snowpack Summary
Another windy day on Sunday, but this has led to little change in the snowpack. The winds, temperatures and lack of snow have left a variety of surface layers- none of which are conducive to good skiing. Valley bottom has decomposing surface hoar that is covered with a dusting of snow from the past 48 hours. Treeline is a widespread wind slab surface covering the crusts from late november. The alpine is also severely wind affected and on any windward aspect its blown to gravel or the old crusts. In general, there is not much out there for avalanche problems at the moment.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night could see 10 to15cm of new snow with moderate westerly winds. Monday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature will reach a high of -11 °C. with continued moderate westerly winds. A further 15 to 20cm of snow is forecast for Tuesday.
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Fresh wind slabs will develop overnight with the expected snowfall and moderate westerly winds. Look for these on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above.