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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2020–Feb 18th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Good skiing can be found at most elevations.The alpine should be approached with caution as wind slabs can be found on all aspects.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud. In the Alpine, expect the temperature to rise to -10c, along with light to moderate NW winds.  

Wednesday is expected to be warmer, mostly sunny and light NW winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

The alpine consists of about 20cm of recent snow and wind slabs. The recent variable winds have created some wind slabs in unusual places; be on the lookout for these as you transition into the Alpine, especially on lee features and cross loaded gullies. A strong mid pack sits on the November crust/facet layer that makes up the bottom 40cm of the snow pack. This layer could be triggered in thin areas in the alpine or by large loads.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

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.