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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2013–Mar 19th, 2013

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Periods of intense solar radiation are possible on Tuesday, so watch for the associated rise in avalanche danger on solar aspects. The upper snowpack is complex with several crusts. Carefully evaluate the snowpack before committing to a line.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tuesday should bring some sunny weather, but not particularly warm temperatures. Winds are expected to be moderate from the W to NW. Another wave of warm, windy and wet weather is expected late Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

A more isolated natural avalanche cycle continued today. Both slab and loose avalanches were observed up to size 2.0, and seemed to be confined to the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Between 10 and 20cm of new snow fell in the past 24hrs depending on location. Storm snow totals are now near 50cm at treeline. Reverse wind loading yesterday and "traditional" wind loading today have formed touchy storm slabs on all aspects at alpine and treeline elevations. Wind transport at ridgetop was intense at times today and some sluffing was observed in steep alpine terrain. Two separate crusts crusts buried between 50 and 100cm in the snowpack are still causing concern for a step-down avalanche.

Problems

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.