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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2023–Feb 13th, 2023

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, 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.

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Use caution in wind-affected areas on Monday as new snow and wind will form fresh wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has been limited to small (size 1 to 1.5) wind slabs avalanches since the storm on Wednesday. On Wednesday, there was one explosive controlled size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche at treeline. It failed on a 50 cm deep layer of facets sitting on a crust that formed mid-January.

As the wind continues to blow in the coming days, wind slab avalanches will be the main concern.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of snow from last week was redistributed by southwest wind. This likely sits on previously formed wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100 m. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 30 to 60 cm deep in lee terrain.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy, flurries start in the early morning with trace accumulations of snow, 60 to 80 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -6 ºC.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of snow, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures around -4 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud, isolated flurries with trace amounts of snow, 20 km/h north wind, treeline temperatures drop to -10 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny with a few clouds, no significant precipitation, 30 km/h west wind, treeline temperatures around -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.