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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2024–Mar 2nd, 2024

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

Regions

East Kakwa, Kakwa, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

A persistent slab is within the range of rider triggering. The best way to manage this problem is to stick to conservative terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There is no recent activity to report, however in the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary.

Riders could trigger similar avalanches in the coming days. Persistent slab problems take a while to heal so giving them time is warranted.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 80 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.

The remainder of the snowpack is settled.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with clear breaks and isolated flurries, 1 to 2 cm accumulation. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.

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.
  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

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.