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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 15th, 2023–Feb 16th, 2023

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

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Some areas in the southern parts of the region received up to 20cm of new snow on Tuesday. Winds will deposit this fluffy, new snow into wind slabs pretty quickly in lee areas. Continue to be suspicious of old, firm wind slabs especially in high consequence terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new slab avalanches have been reported from the area in the last 72hrs. However, the area did receive 20 cm of fresh snow in some places and Dry Loose avalanches to size 1+ were reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

10-25cm of new, low density powder (the higher amounts are in southern areas) overlies extensive wind effect in the alpine and at tree line. Wind slabs of various ages in lee areas (typically easterly aspects) and scouring in windward areas. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100 m. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 30 to 60 cm deep in lee terrain.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Mostly clear. Wind from the southwest at 40 km/h. Alpine temperature -10˚C.

Thursday

Clear. Wind from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h at higher elevations. Temperature -8˚C in the morning rising to -4˚C in the afternoon.

Friday

Clouds returning. Flurries delivering 2-4 cm. Winds from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Temperature -7˚C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. Flurries delivering 2-4 cm. Winds from the southwest 20 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Temperature -5˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.