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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2021–Mar 3rd, 2021

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Approach tree line and the alpine with caution as there are widespread wind slabs that are reactive.

Good skiing can be found at tree line and below.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A fairly mild week with temperatures rising to 0c in the alpine on Thursday.

Wednesday: High of -4c with flurries in the morning and a mix of sun and cloud for the afternoon. Winds will be 50-60km/hr from the SW. Expect the freezing level to rise to 2000m.

Avalanche Summary

1. One size 2 slab avalanche was reported near Mt. Buller on Monday. The depth was about 40cm deep. This was a skier involvement

2. One size 2 cornice triggered slab avalanche east of Burstall parking lot that occurred some time during Monday night's storm.

3. Two size 2 slab avalanches on Tent Repeater Ridge, east facing near 2400m. 

During this past weekend:

-One size 2 slab avalanche near Burstall Pass with a skier involvement.

-Two skier involvements in Kootenay National Park.

Snowpack Summary

This last storm dropped 15cm of snow along with strong winds. The alpine and tree line have widespread wind slabs overlying a previous generation of wind slab. There have been several avalanches on either this recent wind slab or the wind slab that is buried about 30-50cm down. One cornice triggered avalanche also caused a surface slab to release. With these warming temperatures and recent loading, cornice failures are on our radar.

Expect to see some moist snow on steeper solar aspects that will be a crust in the morning hours.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at 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.