Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2021–Feb 21st, 2021
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
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
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
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

Regions: Kananaskis.

Strong winds are making the upper snowpack more reactive as windslabs develop in most open areas. A storm with strong winds is forecast to reach the region on Monday. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Sunday will see the warm front with the associated precipitation begin to move into the region. There will only be minor accumulation on Sunday before the main mass of the storm arrives on Monday with 15-20cm of snow. Winds are still going to be strong out of the SW so as the storm begins to arrive we can expect avalanche danger to increase. 

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed on Saturday but conditions felt primed for human triggered avalanches due to the presence of these new windslabs. 

Snowpack Summary

The effects of the recent winds are noticeable with windslabs in open terrain at treeline and above. These windslabs are 10-20cm thick in areas travelled on Saturday but we can expect them to increase in depth and reactivity as winds continue overnight. Any windslab that starts in the upper snowpack will likely step down to the Jan 29th persistent interface down 40-60cm. Watch for these problems along ridgelines, and in lee terrain mainly on N and E aspects. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have created new slabs at treeline and alpine elevations. These will be sitting on loose facets and could be quite touchy.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Windslabs in the upper snowpack may step down to the Jan 29th interface down 50-80cm. Dig down and evaluate this interface as you travel. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3