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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2022–Feb 10th, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

With warmer temperatures and solar radiation, the snow surface is likely to get moist and the likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday overnight low temperatures in the alpine will be around 0c. Thursday is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud, a high of +5c and 100km/hr winds from the West.

Avalanche Summary

The cloud cover and wind kept things cooler on the mountainside than predicted. A surprising lack of avalanche activity. Let's see what the warm weather will do on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

On Wednesday, the forecasting crew came across moist snow below tree line which is likely to harden overnight. Expect sun crust on solar aspects early in the morning and wet snow later. The alpine looks a bit like the moon with wind slabs and sastrugi formations. More wind is on the way but there is not much loose snow to move around anymore. With a warm overnight temperature and another warm day forecast for Thursday, keep an eye out for moist snow under your skis. This moist snow increases the likelihood of triggering avalanches.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Be alert on all solar aspects

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Cornice failures are more frequent with heat and solar radiation

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5