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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 27th, 2014–Jan 28th, 2014

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Despite the MODERATE danger rating, concern remains for the weak basal layers. If an avalanche is triggered, it could go deep and wide. This is not the time to ski large and steep features.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Mostly sunny on Tuesday with temperatures reaching near -8 degrees. A temperature inversion is expected with cooler temperatures in valley bottom. Winds will be moderate from the West and no precipitation is expected. Wednesday could see 10 to 15cm of new snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crust is found on South and West aspects at all elevations. Surface faceting in all other areas due to cold temps. Previous wind effect and wind slab is evident at all elevations and all aspects, except South and SW in the Alpine. Profile today at 2200m shows a strong mid-pack, but basal weaknesses remain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.