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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2021–Jan 31st, 2021

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Lots of variability in the amounts of snow for valley to valley. With increased winds there is a lot of snow available for transport. Wind slabs in the new snow is a concern in open terrain. Lots of probing to feel the amount of snow that is sitting on the variety of surfaces.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

We are in a bit of a warming trend. Sunday will bring a more cloud cover along with stronger SW winds. There is snow in the forecast starting Sunday mid day. Looks like we are into a few day of unsettled weather which should bring some new snow.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry out of steep terrain. Couple of cornice failures not pulling any slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Thursday nights snow amounts very from valley to valley 15-40 cm. This sits on a variety of old surfaces that will be slow to bond with the new snow. Avalanches are more likely in areas that have been affected from the wind or sun and the new snow becomes more cohesive, developing slab character. It will take VERY little input for this to become a slab problem. There is lots of low density snow available for transport and lee loading.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Cornices may release remotely when approached.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.