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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 20th, 2022–Apr 21st, 2022

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Forecasters were noting cracking along ridgelines on Wednesday indicating that windslabs are reactive to a skiers weight. The new snow is also settling fast and reacting as a storm slab where overlying the previous crust surface. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Winds are forecast to increase on Thursday out of the south with daytime highs around -5. Clouds cover will dominate the region and we can expect the freezing lebel to be around 2200m. Another system is forecast to reach the region on Saturday with another good pulse of winter!

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a few skier remotes up to sz 1.5 at treeline and below on an E aspect. These slabs were able to run far on the underlying hard bed surface. A few small slabs within the storm snow were also observed at the base of cliff faces on all aspects. A sz 2 skier accidental slide was also reported in the Heros knob drainage with limited details. 

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of new snow has fallen over the past 24hrs with only isolated winds at upper elevations. Two things are going on in the upper snowpack right now. Along ridgelines and in lee features, windslabs up to 40cm thick have developed. Field teams have experienced cracking as they approach open terrain. Also the recent snow and warm temps have created storm slabs as the snow has settled. These slabs have been reactive in areas where they are overlying a crust so keep in mind how the bond with the new snow and the underlying surface is.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.