Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Regions
Kananaskis.
Natural avalanche activity has decreased over the past 24hrs. Human triggered avalanches are still a major concern
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
Winds are forecast to increase overnight into the strong range before easing on Sunday morning with the arrival of the cold front. Temperatures will begin to drop, and we may see a bit of snow as a weak upslope storm moves through the region.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control work today on Mt Buller produced slides up to sz 3 with fracture depths up to 1.5m. A few isolated natural avalanches up to sz 2 were observed in the north part of the forecast area but field observations in the southern areas were limited. Tell us what you are seeing at [email protected] or via messenger on facebook.
Snowpack Summary
Winds and temperatures are causing the upper snowpack to settle. As it settles we are beginning to see natural avalanche activity begin to decrease but conditions are perfect for human triggerring. Wind slabs should be expected in the upper snowpack in the Alpine and isolated areas at treeline. These slabs are up to 40cm thick and on all aspects due to reverse loading. Any slab that initiates in the upper snowpack is likely to step down to any one of the lower wear layers. These layers include the Jan 18th and 6th surface hoar layers down being found below 2400m down around 1m+ and the Dec15th facet interface down 150cm being found all the way up and into the alpine. Stick to conservative terrain and minimize your exposure to overhead areas.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.