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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 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.

Solar radiation can be intense at this time of year as we transition to spring. Expect the sun to destabilize slopes later in the day, especially thin or steep solar areas. Watch for windslabs in alpine areas especially where overlying the recent melt freeze crust. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Not a big change in the weather over the next few days as we are in a holding pattern for the next major system. Saturday will see a mix of sun and cloud, with light to moderate SW winds and a daytime high of around -1C at 2100m. If the sun comes out, expect snow to become moist on solar aspects quickly. 

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Friday produced a few thin slabs up to sz 2. Forecasters were surprised at the lack of propagation in the upper snowpack despite the recent winds.   

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow was found on solar aspects above 2000m. On steep solar aspects, there are two crusts of concern. A crust was formed in early March and is found about 30-40cm down and was producing a hard clean sheer in only one pit dug. The Feb 19 crust is down about 60-80cm. There is still uncertainty with the reactivity of these crusts. Take the time to dig and evaluate these layers on steep solar aspects. Otherwise windslabs in alpine terrain should be expected from the recent SW flow and 10-15cm that fell throughout teh day on Friday. These slabs are widespread above 2600m and more isolated below this elevation to ridgelines and gullied terrain. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.