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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2021–Feb 15th, 2021

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

If we do see a warming trend tomorrow, expect the snowpack to become more sensitive to triggering. Especially for loose dry avalanches and cornices that will be in the sun. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

One more chilly morning and we'll have this cold snap licked. -25 as a morning low, but the good news is a daytime high of -9. The forecast also says blue skies, but experience says a thin layer of cloud is likely as the air mass shifts. Light winds and no snow. All things considered, it sounds like a nice day.

Avalanche Summary

The loose dry avalanches continue. They are still small, but a MIN did report a slab being triggered from a loose dry.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are apparent in the exposed alpine, but generally pretty good surface conditions for skiing. The surface faceting is also helping to keep the snow soft and skiable. The Jan 29th interface is still on the radar. Its down 50-60cm and is worth checking on if you're venturing out into uncharted terrain.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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.