Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2024–Feb 9th, 2024

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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

Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

From an avalanche and ski quality perspective, things are a solid "meh" to "pretty good" right now. Acceptable skiing can be found up high, but you'll have to earn it by dealing with the valley bottom travel. There is snow available for transport, so watch those winds speeds tomorrow!

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow is settling and now averages 10 to 20cm over the Feb 3 crust. By mid afternoon today sun exposed snow was becoming moist, which will form a thin surface crust as it re-freezes tonight. Deeper down, the Feb 3rd crust is mostly supportive in the valley bottom and extends at least as high as 2500m. The bond at the storm snow - crust interface is mainly good, except on steep northerly aspects in the alpine where some previous sluffing was observed. Very isolated wind slab development has also been observed in the alpine in wind prone areas and on lee features. Ski quality is dust on crust in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Overnight Friday will see low temperatures of -15 to -18 with a daytime high of -7 by 4pm. Cloud cover will be intermittent, so expect some solar to sneak in, making it feel warmer. Winds will be out of the SW all day with speeds in the 15-20km range at ridgetop. No snow is expected, but it should be a nice day regardless.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Today these weren't a problem, but the predicted winds may change that at higher elevations. Especially if the wind direction is different from predicted.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This will still be an issue in areas that escaped the heat, as there is no previous crust to hold the snowpack together.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5