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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2020–Feb 17th, 2020

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Be on the lookout for wind effect in the alpine, otherwise good skiing in most areas.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Monday is forecast to bring a mix of sun and cloud with light to moderate winds from the West. Temperatures will rise to -10c.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

There is up to 25cm of recent snow in Alpine areas. Winds have been variable for the last couple of days, so be on the lookout for wind slabs as you transition into the Alpine, especially lee features and cross loaded gullies. The Alpine just needs a bit more time to let those new wind slabs bond. We are approaching the time of year where the sun is strong, especially on solar aspects. The November crust/facet layer that makes up the bottom 40cm of the snow pack is still on our radar and could be triggered from thin areas or by large loads.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.