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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 26th, 2024–Feb 27th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Approach all avalanche terrain with extreme caution. We are nearing a natural avalanche cycle.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity was observed during the field day. This was surprising, given the amount of snow and wind. Maybe it is just waiting for a light trigger like a skier.

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of snow has fallen in this last storm and has become a wind slab in all exposed areas. This new wind slab and storm snow sits on top of a variety of layers:

  1. The February 24 storm interface which is down about 20-30cm and consists of suncrust, previous wind slab. This layer will be sensitive to skier triggering.

  2. The February 3 Rain crust which is down about 40-50cm. This crust has started to develop facets on top of it which is a perfect layer for sliding.

We are at or nearing the critical load of new snow or slab development for a natural avalanche cycle to start.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will be a mixed bag of cloud, sun and isolated flurries. Expect cold temperatures in the morning of -26c in the alpine and then warming to -15c. Winds are forecast to be 25-30km/hr from the SW

Wednesday to Friday: Periods of snow with up to 45cm by Friday. Stay tuned for snow amounts and how it will impact the avalanche hazard...

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Avoid traveling in runout zones. Avalanches have the potential to run to the valley floor.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

This wind slab is sitting on the Feb. 24 interface down 20-30cm and consists of facets and previous wind slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This is the Feb 3 rain crust interface which has facets on top of the crust and can be found 40-50cm down.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This is the November basal facet problem that exists mostly in the high alpine above 2400m where the February 3 rain crusts disappears.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3