Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2020–Feb 22nd, 2020

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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.

Tomorrow will be similar to today weather wise. It could be worth sneaking in a longer day. Sunday may bring us some much needed snow.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will dip slightly tonight to -10 and warm up to -6 for tomorrow afternoon. Most of the day will be cloudy, but as evening approaches there will be a clearing trend. Temperatures will also fall to -20! No significant snow is expected tomorrow, but Sunday might bring some snow. Winds will continue to be gusty (up to 50km/hr) tomorrow and they'll be out of the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing seen today.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds have stripped many ridge lines and made for windslabs of varying thicknesses in open areas at treeline and above. In most areas these slabs sit on a solid midpack ranging in thickness from 50cm to well over a meter. And, as expected the deep layers are still with us and still concerning for large triggers. The crusts from past warm weather spells are still apparent in valley bottoms, but generally not a problem.

Terrain and Travel

Caution around convexities or sharp changes in terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable depth and density of wind slabs throughout the Alpine. These are most concerning in steep, convex and unsupported terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This is a classic "low probability, high consequence" problem. While it is difficult to trigger, resulting avalanches will be very large. Use caution in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more of a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3