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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2021–Jan 18th, 2021

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs are still dominating our region. Ski quality isn't the best ever, but hey, it's a Pandemic. Just the fact that we get to go skiing is a great thing! Poor turns are better than no turns!

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will hover around -8 tomorrow until the late afternoon. Beyond that it will cool off to -18 or so by midnight. As the temperatures fall, the winds will calm (yes, you read that right) at all elevations. As for snow, don't hold your breath. There may be a few flurries, but the re-set we're all craving is a long way off.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing was seen today. 

Snowpack Summary

I wish I had better news, but the widespread wind effected snow is still the main feature of our snowpack. A profile near Purple Knob had a well settled mid pack with the Nov 5th down 165cm and a surprising lack of depth hoar or facets near it. It seems the warm snowpack temperatures have kept the bottom layers from "rotting" out and becoming weak. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

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.