Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2022–Feb 18th, 2022

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, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

A bit of new snow was moved around by the Strong NW winds on Thursday building thin windslabs in alpine areas. More snow forecast for the weekend!

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Not much of a change weather wise for Friday. Temperatures will remain seasonal (-5) and winds will be light out of the NW. There may be a few cm's of snow fall but not enough to significantly change the avalanche danger.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed.

Snowpack Summary

We have had about 5-10cm of new snow over the past 24hrs and strong NW winds. This new snow is resting on a variety of surface from gravel, melt freeze crust or a hard slab. This is probably not quite enough snow to improve the skiing yet. This new snow is enough to change the hazard rating in alpine terrain where you may encounter a thin windslab.

Terrain and Travel

Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.

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.