Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2025–Feb 3rd, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

The change is here!

30+ cm of snow has fallen in the last 48 hours along the spray.

This has triggered a natural avalanche cycle. Conservative terrain choices are paramount while the snowpack adjusts with the change.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters out today heard continuous rumbles of loose dry avalanches off steep cliff features. There was also a small soft slab in a gully feature below treeline. We expect there was natural cycle to some degree today. Zero visibility throughout the day so no direct observations while travelling.

Snowpack Summary

Friday through Saturday produced 30+ cm of snow with strong winds. The spray valley feels like winter again. This now overlies all of the previous layers from the whole of January. Hard wind affected surfaces, Facets and crusts on solar aspects. Below this is a mostly a faceted snowpack to ground. The big change is in your mindset. We are leaving the green brick, so step back, and evaluate the changing avalanche danger.

Weather Summary

Saturday: The storm produced, Finally!

20+ cm on the weather stations and the storm was quiet intense during the later part of the morning.

Sat night: 5cm more snow expected and temps dropping to -19 winds will be out of the South, gusting to 45km/h

Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Day time high of -19 and overall light winds at ridge top.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.