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

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2021–Feb 5th, 2021
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
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

Lots of new snow, now lots of wind. Caution with overhead hazards as the wind transports snow in the alpine. When traveling in the terrain it is important to watch the snow, if it change from light powder to heaver more dense snow the slab will be more reactive. Good tree skiing

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A trace amounts of snow over the past 24hr. We are going to start to seeing a cooling trend over the next couple of days. Along with the change in weather there is fairly strong winds forecasted. 60-80km changing to a more north flow.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of the older cycle, no new avalanches observed, but no observation of the alpine as well very limited field observations.

Snowpack Summary

Lots of new snow out there. We have anywhere from 35-60cm of settling storm snow from the last couple of days. Currently, this snow is low density in the valley bottoms, but stiffens up as elevation is gained. Alpine and treeline winds have begun to create fresh windslabs on eastern aspects. There are also buried windslabs within the storm snow. The Jan 29 (hard windslab/storm snow) interface is slower to bond than expected. Less avalanche activity seen today but no real alpine observations. Winds slab are forming and suspect they will be touchy in the right spot. Deep layers are still hanging in there and so far not failing wit the new load.

Some steep solar aspects may have a sun crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Lots of snow available for transport right now. Expect windslabs to build quickly in windy areas. We also have a buried windslab problem that may not be apparent unless you dig to find them.

.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Storm Slabs

As all the new snow settles it may become more reactive as it becomes more of a slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5