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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2020–Jan 31st, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

It looks as though we have one more day to go before the next storm arrives. As always, if the new snow comes early expect a quick increase in avalanche hazard.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

A warm front is on the way and its scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. Temps will rise to -4 by mid afternoon, snow will start in the morning and winds will pick up as the day goes on. Most of the snow will come on Saturday. Tomorrow will only see 5-10cm and moderate winds out of the SW.

Avalanche Summary

nothing new today

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect at all elevations. The upper snow pack is a series of windslabs stacked on top of each other. They feel as though they are weakening (ie softening) with the recent flatline weather pattern. In a pit today, there was 135cm of snow, with the lower 30cm consisting of facets & depth hoar. Tests were inconsistent with the deep persistent layer. 

Terrain and Travel

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.

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.