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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2019–Feb 19th, 2019

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at all elevations.  Be on the look out for thin areas.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will start off cold with a mix of sun and cloud in morning.  After lunch, light flurries are expected with moderate West winds and warming up to -11c.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 loose, dry occurred today in the alpine on an East aspect on Mount Murray (looks like it was solar radiation triggered).Several other loose dry size 2 were observed on the East End of Rundle and in the Bow Valley on solar aspects

Snowpack Summary

On the surface, we have about 15cm of loose dry snow.  There is isolated wind affect, mostly in the alpine, just below  large cliffs and isolated pockets near ridge lines.  The sun had some punch today which triggered some loose dry avalanches on solar aspects.  The weak basal layers are still there, and as unconsolidated as ever. What is saving us from a nightmare of a snowpack is the mid pack bridging effect. The mid pack has enough strength and depth that triggering the bottom layers is becoming more difficult. The key to avoiding trouble is avoiding thin areas where the bridging is minimal.

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.