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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 9th, 2021–Apr 10th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Strong winds created widespread windslabs in open alpine areas. Be cautious as you move into increasingly wind affected areas. Good skiing in sheltered terrain. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Saturday is destined to have a wintery feel with 5-10cm of snow forecast, cloudy skies and day time highs of -5C. Winds will diminsh slightly into the 40km/hr range at ridgetops out of the SW.  

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain up to sz 2. No new slab avalanche activity was noted. 

Snowpack Summary

The close to 30cm snow that fell recently is beginning to be moved around by the winds creating windslabs in the upper elevations and even isoalted areas at treeline. THese slabs are 20-40cm thick and failing at the recent storm snow interface. On northern aspects this snow is overlying a winter snowpack while on E, S and W aspects this snow is overlying a melt freeze crust developed earlier in the week. The bond on these two layers differs so be sure to check this interface. At treeline, again forecasters got a few large settlements in treeline areas on southern aspects where the snowpack was wet and isothermal.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.