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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2021–Feb 19th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

A mild weather system is approaching for this week end. Keep an eye out for shifting winds and new wind loading.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Ridgeline winds will pick up tonight and settle to about 30km/hr from the west by mid day tomorrow. Temperatures will start at -15, but rise to -9 for a day time high. By noon we are expecting clouds to move in followed shortly after by light flurries. This is setting the stage for a gradual warm up over the next few days that will also see some fresh snow arrive by Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Fast and loose. The snowpack is facetted with weak surface snow, which is making for fast skiing as the snowpack warms up. We are also finding subtle windslabs on rolls at treeline, many of which are from the cold, sinking/downflow winds of the cold snap last week. While not reacting, they are sending the odd shiver down our back. It feels as though they want to move but they just aren't. The midpack is still solid and sitting on a decent base. Winds did pick up today at treeline and alpine elevations, we may see fresh windslabs on easterly aspects.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

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.