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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2021–Mar 7th, 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.

As we quickly approach spring remember that heat is a major contributor to avalanche cycles. In the days and weeks to come watch localized warming trends and solar inputs. Field based weather forecasting becomes increasingly important as spring goes on.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

We are returning to a more seasonal pattern for the next few days. Tomorrow will start at -10C and warm up to -6C. Sunny aspects and lower elevations will have warmer temperatures climbing to just above zero. Like today, flurries will blow through and give us a few centimeters of snow. Speaking of blowing, the SW winds will be gusty and variable in the alpine, but more or less calm in valley bottoms.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing from the last 24 hours, but evidence of a widespread loose wet cycle is still visible.

Snowpack Summary

We did get a few cm's of new snow today, which is welcome. In most areas the recent warmth has taken a toll with widespread crusts up to treeline elevations. Sunny aspects will now have a thinly buried crust up to alpine elevations. On the shady sides, there is still a series of stacked windslabs that are becoming less reactive as the snowpack cools.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.