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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2022–Feb 28th, 2022

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

Regions

South Rockies.

Don't let incremental loading, moderate to strong southwest winds and rising freezing levels catch you off guard. 

It is time to take a step back from bigger objectives.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

There is some uncertainty and model disagreement around forecast snowfall amounts. Some of the southwestern parts of the forecast region may get significantly more snow than elsewhere. 

Sunday Night: Light snow 5 cm possible, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline low around -8 °C. 

Monday: Snowfall, heaviest in southwest parts of the region 5-15 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, rising freezing levels and treeline high around 0 °C. 

Monday night: 10-20 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing levels up to 2000 m.

Tuesday: Light snowfall 5-10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing levels over 2000 m.

Wednesday: Snow tapers, light southwest wind, treeline highs around zero. 

Avalanche Summary

We don't have any new avalanches to report, but we also have a lack of field observations from the area.

No new avalanches were reported on Friday. 

On Thursday, explosives triggered two size 1 wind slabs. The Avalanche Canada field team saw no new avalanches in the Crowsnest area. 

Snowpack Summary

Incremental snowfall amounts and southwest wind will combine to form new and potentially reactive wind slabs in lee features. Snow from last week formed wind slabs in unusual places due to variable wind directions. These wind slabs sit on top of a variety of sun crusts (southerly slopes), hard wind-affected surfaces (open areas), and weak sugary crystals (on a variety of aspects) depending on your location in the terrain. 

The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early-December found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information. 

Terrain and Travel

  • 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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change throughout the day.

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.