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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 15th, 2025–Feb 18th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

5-8cm of new snow is forecast for the duration of the weekend with temperatures becoming less "arctic". Winds are also forecast to be light out of the NW. Watch for pockets of windslabs as you transition into the upper treeline and alpine terrain

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few new loose dry avalanches were observed over the past 24hrs. These were mainly on solar aspects. Two notable smaller sz 1-2 windslabs were also seen in the Mount Buller and Mt Nestor area initiating out of extreme terrain but not running very far. These were in lee features in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

As you transition out of the Treeline and into the Alpine windslabs become more common. These slabs are 5-40cm thick and reactive to a skiers weight especially in thinner or unsupported terrain. Forecasters noted numerous areas of "Drummy" feeling snow wherein a windslab was overlying softer snow from earlier in the week. As you encounter this type of feeling, back off the terrain and also look around and see what terrain you are connected to. Due to the stiffness of the overlying slab, the potential for failures to propagate is a concern. Below treeline, the snow snowpack is holding in there, but mainly consists off facets and in some places you can sink right to ground. Hope for more snow in the second half of this winter!!!

Weather Summary

See table. Up to 8cm of snow is forecast for Sunday and into monday morning.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
  • Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.