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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 10th, 2020–Feb 11th, 2020

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at treeline and below. Approach the alpine with caution for wind slabs.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is forecast to bring a mix of cloud and sun with some light flurries. Temperatures will range from -11c to -7c with strong westerly winds in the alpine. More of the same for Wednesday except the winds will have diminished to light/moderate from the 

west.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are mostly noticeable in cross loaded and lee features in the alpine. Sheltered areas at all elevations are still providing good skiing. Overall the midpack feels well settled and solid at treeline and below. The buried wind slabs in the top 50cm in the alpine are still on our radar; it is worth to dig and see how they are reacting. Last week's rain crust is down about 20cm and is easy to find below 1950m. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs 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.

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.