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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2023–Feb 26th, 2023

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

Expect variable wind affected surfaces at all elevations.

Strong southwest winds continue to strip away snow, creating wind loading on north and east facing slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday wind slabs were human and explosive triggered to size 1 on all aspects.

Several explosive-triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Snow continues to be redistributed by southwest winds, forming fresh wind slabs at higher elevations. Exposed slopes at treeline and above may be stripped back to hard surfaces.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above, sits 50 to 100 cm deep. This crust could be a good sliding surface for avalanche activity. We are monitoring this layer going forward as it may become a persistent problem.

In general, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Increasing cloud with flurries. 5 cm possible. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Moderate to strong southwest winds continue.

Sunday

Cloudy with 3 cm of snow over the day. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m. Alpine high of -6 °C with moderate to strong southwest winds.

Monday

Cloudy with southwest winds easing to moderate. Alpine high of -9 °C. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m. Possible flurries over the day.

Tuesday

Cloudy with light southwest winds. Alpine high of -9 °C. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m. Possible flurries over the day.

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.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.