Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 14th, 2023–Feb 15th, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

The Kananaskis valley got up to 10cm of snow overnight while the Spray only saw a few cms. Cold temperatures are forecast overnight and we are not expecting any change in avalanche danger over the next few days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were seen or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Despite the heavy snowfall warning only a few cms of snow fell overnight and throughout the day on Wednesday. Eastern parts of the region saw a bit more snow with up to 10cm in the Kananaskis Corridor. Treeline and alpine windslabs continue to be the main avalanche concern in terms of "triggerability". They are improving with the the relatively warm temperatures, but still expect to find reactive pockets in steep and/or convex terrain. In terms of consequence, the dreaded Nov 5 facets still have a firm grip on the low probability/high consequence title. Some of our neighbours to the west have seen failures on this layer, which suggest loading is a critical factor in when this layer will fail.

Weather Summary

A cold night is forecast overnight on Wednesday evening with lows around -20C. Winds will slowly increase into the moderate range out of the NW and we may get another big dump of trace snow. (1-2cm)

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Open slopes at treeline and alpine areas look plump and ready for a trigger. Low angle terrain is still key.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin areas are where this layer will be easiest to trigger. Be thinking about wide propagations as the snowpack above is more cohesive than before.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3