Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 2nd, 2017–Feb 3rd, 2017

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

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

Regions: Kananaskis.

Expect a drastic change in snow stability when the predicted storm arrives. Tomorrow looks reasonable, but the storm could be early.

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will see only trace amounts of snow as the incoming weather approaches. Winds will be light from the west and a daytime high of -11. We are expecting a storm to come in over the week-end. The snow amounts are uncertain right now, but we may see upwards of 30cm.

Avalanche Summary

On a snow survey flight today, only one new avalanche was noted. It was a sz2 that came out out of a crossloaded moraine feature. It had stepped down through the various windslabs.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect can be found in the alpine and open treeline areas. This translates to a hard slab resting on top of the very weak mid to lower snowpack. Not a lot of cracking or whumphing was noted today, but hollow sounding slabs are very common. On east aspects there are still pockets of wind sifted snow that offers some good skiing. Below treeline is the same old story. Mostly a weak and un-supportive snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

These slabs are slow to bond. Expect them to be reactive for the next few days.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded featuresBe careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

If these slabs react, expect a large propagation, and likely a step down to deeper layers.

Avoid unsupported slopes.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Surface slabs and thin areas can potentially wake this layer up. Thin areas should be treated with caution.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3