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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 9th, 2020–Feb 10th, 2020

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.

If the weather forecast is correct, we will see a quick warming trend in the morning. Skies may also be clear so keep an eye out for change.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow is expected to have a chilly start. -21 in the morning! There will be a rapid warming trend just before noon with a day time high of -9. No new snow and very light winds from the SW in the morning. The afternoon winds will pick up a bit with gusts to 34km/hr from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong winds last night made short work of the new snow. Lots of exposed ridges in the alpine which means there is some crossloading happening in the alpine and upper treeline. In sheltered areas the snow was still soft, yet slightly disturbed by the wind. Overall the midpack feels well settled and solid at treeline. There is a weak layer(dec31 surface hoar) down 50-80cm, but it seems well bonded. Last week's rain crust is down 20-25cm and obvious in all places below 1950m. So far no problems are associated with this crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.