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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2015–Jan 19th, 2015

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

New storm slabs are building in Alpine and treeline areas due to the new snow and strong SW winds.  The new snow helped but we need another 20-30cm of snow to see a significant improvement in the ski quality.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations on Sunday

Weather Forecast

The storm wasnt as bit as we had hope and we can only expect to see about another 5cm over the next 24hrs.  Winds will begin to ease off and temperatures will slowly cool to more seasonal.  Cloudy conditions with isolated flurries are forecast for the next few days.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed in the commonwealth ridge or Heros bowl area but visibility was limited throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

The Storm was a bit of a let down with only 10-15cm of snow falling at higher elevations. Valley floors saw minimal new snow. The 0116SH is now buried down 10-15cm at treeline and below with the 1213CR down 40cm. A layer of facets overlying this crust continues to produce moderate sudden collapse results and we expect this problem to persist for some time. This areas continue to get weaker and facet out and most of the Alpine areas are wind affected. Some "good" skiing may be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below but you have to be creative to be able to find these areas.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.