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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2020–Mar 28th, 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.

Please stick to low angle, low consequence terrain while we all work through this Covid issue. Enjoying the outdoors is important, but keeping the big picture in mind is a social responsibility right now. Having said that, if you do get out for the day, enjoy it!! 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will be very similar to today for weather. The overnight low will be -7, daytime high of -2 and a freezing level of 1300m. We are expecting some building could during the day, but some solar radiation will also make its way through. As the day goes on, a few flurries are expected, but no significant accumulation. Winds will be about 50km/SW at ridge top.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

 We have received about 30cm of recent snow in the last few days that continues to be slabbing up with the ongoing wind. The alpine and parts of tree line have new slabs that are still skier triggerable up to 50cm deep. These slabs have improved with the warm temps & falling wind speeds. They may still be reactive depending on what type of surface they are resting on. Expect a slower bond on solar aspects.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.