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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2020–Feb 7th, 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.

Been a while since we saw a slide on the basal layers but the consequences of a large slide are always in our minds. The region needs 10-15cm for a re-set which may come this weekend. Watch from hard windslabs in alpine terrain.  

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Not much for new snow in the forecast for the next few days. Temps will be around -8C with winds out of the SW. Expect a sky consisting of a mix of sun and cloud.  

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind slabs of varying thicknesses in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. 5 to 10cm of recent snow overlies a thick and supportive rain crust at lower elevations. This crust disappears at 2050m. Look to sheltered areas between 2300 and 2000m for soft snow and good skiing. The wind slabs in the alpine still need some time to heal.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.

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.