Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2025–Feb 22nd, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

A storm is due to hit the kananaskis region starting tonight. Strong to extreme winds, significant snow and warm temps are a perfect recipe for a natural cycle on our very weak and faceted snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A field team out today and there was no new activity observed.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of recent snow is overlying mostly wind slabs in the alpine. These near surface wind slabs continue to be the most concerning issue in our snowpack. They are essentially widespread, but vary in thickness and density. Areas of hard slab are the most concerning as they are the most likely to propagate. In sheltered areas, or areas that haven't seen travel the snowpack is still very weak. While walking or skiing it isn't uncommon to punch to ground. Snowpack depths remain well below average. The snow profile below shows how weak the snowpack is in most areas.

Weather Summary

The change appears to be on the way.

Friday night should see the start of a good storm with 4cm overnight. Night time low of -8 and the winds will be in the strong range from the South West

Saturday it will continue to snow with an additional 11cm by end of day. Day time high of -5 and 70km/h South West winds

Sunday could have yet another 17cm with the winds slightly shifting to Westerly and 75 km/h.

The freezing levels are also jumping to 1600-1800m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.