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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2022–Feb 6th, 2022

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.

The winds have officially overstayed their welcome. The snow has a heavy feel to it from all the blowing around. Needless to say windslabs are the name of the avalanche problem game right now.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Winds will continue to be a roller coaster, and unfortunately a driving force in how our snowpack shapes up. Today saw very gusty winds from variable directions. Tomorrow will likely be the same. Valley bottom winds will gust up to 38km and ridge winds will be significantly higher. As for snow and temps, the high will be -3 and we won't get any significant snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today. But there was significant windloading at all elevations/aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The winds have done an impressive job of redistributing what little surface snow we have left. Windslabs are basically in any open terrain at any elevation. Needless to say they don't become a problem until treeline, but once the denser slabs are encountered they do pose an avalanche threat. They seem most problematic in immediate lee areas and crossloaded features. That's not to say open areas are smooth sailing. They also deserve some assessment and judgement. As for the deeper layers, so far so good. They are cooperating and don't appear to be a major issue yet.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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.