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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 2023

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

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Continue to use caution around old, firm wind slabs as they could still deliver a surprise. If new snowfall amounts are greater than 15 cm on Monday and Tuesday new wind slabs will form and they will be more reactive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the weekend.

A natural size 2.5 wind slab avalanche was reported from the Castle area on February 12th. It was believed to be 48-72hrs old and occurred in the immediate leeward side of a large, wind loaded north facing alpine feature.

Snowpack Summary

Extensive wind effect in the alpine and at tree line. Wind slabs of various ages in lee areas (typically easterly aspects) and scouring in windward areas. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100 m. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 30 to 60 cm deep in lee terrain. Good quality riding in powder snow was still being reported below 2000m on sheltered north aspects over the weekend.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 130 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Mostly cloudy. Flurries delivering up to 5-10 cm of snow. Wind from the west at 15 km/h. Temperature -8˚C.

Tuesday

Cloudy in the morning with a clearing trend into the afternoon. Flurries in the morning delivering 5-10 cm of new snow. Winds from the northeast up to 20 km/h. Temperature -8˚C in the morning dropping to -12˚C by late afternoon.

Wednesday

Mostly clear. No new snow. Winds from the west up to 30 km/h. Temperature -10˚C to -5˚C.

Thursday

Mostly clear. No new snow. Winds from the west up to 30 km/h. Temperature -7˚C to -4˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.