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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2022–Feb 20th, 2022

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

Its snowing! And as a bonus, amounts are more than forecast. So far southern areas are getting more than the north. Remember to inspect the old snow interface before choosing a line.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

The Great Drought of 2022 is officially over! Snow is expected for the next 24 hours and will hopefully bring another 10cm or so by tomorrow morning. As this happens, it will continue to cool off with a morning low of -11 and -20 by tomorrow evening. Most of tomorrow will have light winds, with a change in direction around midday. Maybe this will bring an upslope bonus storm for Monday?

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today prevented a good look around, but an ongoing loose dry cycle is likely underway in very steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Take a moment and read this a few times...Snow, yes snow has arrived. As of 2pm Saturday there was 10-20cm of new snow at treeline areas. Less around the Spray lakes/tent ridge area, but still snow! The Anemoi (the Greek Gods of wind) have let us off the hook on this one. Light winds have kept the snow relatively untouched with only isolated windslabs at treeline. The most important thing to consider now is what the new snow is sitting on. And as we all know by now, those surfaces weren't pretty! Expect a poor initial bond with the old surfaces.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.

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.