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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2023–Feb 10th, 2023

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

Pay attention to the direction of the wind as you travel through wind exposed areas – there is a lot of snow available to build wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday there were reports of explosives controlled windslab avalanches to size 2. As well there was a report of an explosives controlled size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche at treeline 50 cm deep running on a layer of facets sitting on a crust that formed mid January.

As the wind continues to blow the coming days, the likelihood of triggering wind slab avalanches will increase.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Parts of this region received up to 30 cm of new snow Tuesday night. This likely sits on previously formed wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100m elevation band. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 25 to 40 cm in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be more reactive where they sit on this crust.

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

The average snowpack depth is 120 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear periods. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -8 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1-3cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1400m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -2°C. Freezing level around 1700m.

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.