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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2020–Mar 26th, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

We please ask people, stay out of committing terrain or just stay home and solve a rubiks cube. COVID19 is a serious problem and we don't want to add more work to the health care system. Winds are increasing and so is the hazard from new windslabs.    

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Light snow is forecast to continue with increasing winds. Winds will push into the strong range out of the SW as we see a gradual rise in temperatures over the next week.  

Avalanche Summary

Extensive loose dry sluffing from extreme terrain was observed as well as new windslabs up to sz 2 were seen on N and E aspects in alpine areas. Skier triggered avalanches were reported in the heros knob area by a party up there. This is a strong indication not to be there. 

Snowpack Summary

Dribbles of snow over the past week have added up to 30cm of recent snow at higher elevations. WInds have generally been light but we have seen some windslab development that has occurred over the past 24hrs in alpine areas. These new slabs are skier triggerable and 20-40cm deep. Ridge lines and gullied terrain are the likely areas to encounter these problems. The deep basal layers are still a concern from thin snowpack areas. Watch for the new snow running far and fast on the solar aspects where it is overlying a crust. With winds increasing on Friday, expect new windslabs to develop quickly and become more widespread in open terrain. . 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.