Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2025–Feb 28th, 2025

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Avoid all avalanche terrain. Special Public Avalanche Warning in effect.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Avalanches have been occurring almost everyday this week. This is the time to avoid all avalanche terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Extreme winds on Thursday have continued to add to the wind slab problem. All S, E and N aspects have wind slabs at Alpine and Treeline elevations which rest on the delicate Jan 30th interface made up of facets, sun crust or a dense slab layer. At lower elevations, there is also a storm slab or "settlement slab" that overlies the Jan 30th layer. All elevations show snowpack conditions that are sensitive to human triggering. Travelling at lower elevations involves ski penetration to ground if you leave any established trail.

You take all this and then add a high freezing level and sunny skies. You now have conditions that are even more prime for human triggering of avalanches.

Click here for more info: https://avalanche.ca/spaw/96cc7f76-2ee1-417f-ac03-afe25836da22

Weather Summary

Friday will be a mix of sun and cloud and Spring like temperatures. Freezing level is expected around 2200m. Even higher freezing levels and sunnier skies are expected for Saturday and Sunday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

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.