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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 6th, 2021–Jan 7th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.

A few cms of snow fell on Wednesday but not enough to cause a big change in danger levels. Watch for windslabs as you move up into treeline and above. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures are moving into the region for the next few days. Unfortunately no new snow is expected and winds are gonna be light for a change!!!

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed on Wednesday but visibility was limited. 

Snowpack Summary

Lots of variability within the upper snowpack currently with some areas highly wind affected and others with 25cm of low density snow on the surface. Being heads up for these windslabs up to 40cm deep is the key thing to note. As you transition into wind affected terrain look and feel for the surface of the snow to become wind affected. We did see some light to moderate SW winds on Tuesday moving snow around but it felt like the first day not in a hurricane. In some areas the overhead cornices look large and looming so be sure to keep your head looking up. Otherwise the midpack in the region continues to settle and strengthen with the basal november crust near the ground still in our minds despite no recent avalanches on this interface. Thin areas are places to tread carefully as you may awaken the basal layers. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

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.