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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2022–Feb 3rd, 2022

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Watch for skier trigerable windslabs as you transition into alpine terrain. The bond with the new snow and the underlying surface is improving but will take some time. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday is thankfully expected to be a warmer day (-10C) with a mix of sun and cloud and winds in the moderate range out of the SW. A weak system is expected to cross the region on Friday giving us some light flurries. 

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry slides from steep unskiable terrain up to sz 1.5. No new slab avalanche activity. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow has formed windslabs in alpine terrain that are poorly bonded to the underlying surface. These windslabs are 30-60cm deep and are being found in isolated areas at treeline and more widepsread on N and E aspects into the alpine. Forecasters have noted cracking along ridgecrests during the week indicating that human triggerring is a possibility. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.