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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 21st, 2020–Mar 22nd, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Conservative choices are a must, dont push it and dont go for it. The current health care system is under enough stress due to COVID19 pandemic. Cooler and cloudy conditions on Sunday within an incoming storm on Monday and Tuesday.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Cooler temps with more cloudy conditions are forecast for Sunday as we transition back to winter this week. 25-30cm of new snow is forecast to fall over the next few days. Sunday will see winds increasing to the strong range out of the W with the arrival of the front and light flurries, the main pulse will arrive on Monday and Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed. Field teams were out of the forecast area by 13:00.  

Snowpack Summary

Solar aspects have crust but luckily the more polar aspects are still holding dry snow. Surface crusts were breaking down and becoming moist by 10am but luckily dry snow was found all the way to the valley floor. Alpine areas are wind affected but sheltered places are offering good skiing potential. Surface hoar is widespread on polar aspects and may become a problem with the new snow forecast this week. Thin weak areas are the key places to be mindful of and the potential to awaken the basal layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.