Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
We are expecting a rapid warming trend tomorrow afternoon. This will be coupled with clear skies. The sun will pack a punch!
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Steep, rocky terrain will hold the sun's heat and cause loose wet avalanches to become a concern. They could be a problem in themselves, but they could also act as a trigger for slabs.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problem 3: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Cornices could start to fail if they see a lot of sun. These kinds of large triggers could cause the deep layers to fail.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Summary
Loose dry & loose wet avalanches were noted today at the lower elevations. They came out of steep rocky terrain where the sun had a big impact.
Snowpack Summary
Today is the first day in a long time that temperatures on the Spray went above 0C. The freezing level reached 2200m for a short period this afternoon. While not a huge input of heat, many solar aspects now have a surface crust. The alpine and treeline windslabs are improving with the moderate temperatures. The relative warmth is helping the various layers bond. Despite the rising temps, we did see a few cm of new snow today from flurries blowing through the area.
Weather Forecast
Temps tonight will fall to -12 at 2200m with light westerly winds. Tomorrow will see the freezing level rise to 1900m, with treeline temps settling at -4. The sun will be shining with the odd cloudy period. Expect strong solar input on south & southwest slopes. Winds will diminish as the warm spell approaches.
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Assess steep, unsupported terrain carefully. Especially around ridges.