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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2023–Feb 19th, 2023

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

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Wind slabs are expected to remain sensitive to human triggering, especially in the south of the region. Seek out sheltered terrain to avoid the problem and for better riding opportunities in softer snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, ski cutting was triggering size 1 loose dry avalanches in the south of the region.

With ongoing wind, wind slabs are expected to remain reactive to human triggering, especially in the south of the region where the most new snow has accumulated in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing wind continues to redistribute any available loose snow into wind slabs in exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. Windward slopes may be heavily scoured in exposed features. A thin sun crust might be found on steep south aspects. Sheltered areas or areas where the wind has "sifted" the powder are still offering decent riding.

The middle of the snowpack is firm and well-consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack but have not yet created a major problem like some of the neighbouring regions. However, we continue to track this layer and may see a problem develop as more snow accumulates above it.

The average snowpack depth is around 130 cm while up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Partly cloudy, possibly clearing by morning, light to moderate W-NW wind, treeline low around -12 ˚C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud in the morning, mainly cloudy in the afternoon, moderate to strong SW-W wind, treeline high around -5 ˚C.

Monday

Light snowfall beginning overnight 10-20 cm, moderate to strong SW-W wind, easing in the afternoon, treeline high around -6 ˚C.

Tuesday

Snowfall 15-25 cm overnight with another 5-10 cm during the day, moderate to strong SW wind switching to NE by the end of the day, treeline temperature dropping to around -20 ˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.