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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023

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

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Touchy wind slabs linger on atypical slopes due to strong northeast wind. Any incident is of high consequence in frigid weather.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Many large (size 2 to 3) wind slabs were observed on southerly slopes on Tuesday. Most of the avalanches were naturally triggered from the rapid loading caused by strong northeast wind. Riders were also able to trigger a few storm slab avalanches within the recent storm snow.

Looking forward, we anticipate that wind slabs will be triggerable on south to west aspects. These slopes are atypical for a wind slab problem so use caution when in wind exposed terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeast wind formed touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features in wind-exposed terrain. The slabs are on atypical south to west aspects. The frigid weather will slow the healing process, meaning these slabs could remain touchy for longer than is typical.

The middle of the snowpack is generally strong.

A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. The layer is currently dormant. However, riders should continue to avoid thin, rocky terrain where the likelihood of triggering this layer is increased.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 40 to 60 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -31 °C.

Thursday

Clear skies with no precipitation, 40 to 50 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -29 °C.

Friday

Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, trace accumulation, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature - 21 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.