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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2016–Feb 3rd, 2016

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

The next few days will see consistent weather. We can expect that to help improve the avalanche conditions below treeline. The persistent problem will last for some time despite the steady weather pattern.

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Tonight:  Mainly cloudy. Alpine low -17. Moderate 30km/hr from the west. Tomorrow: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine high of -12. Similar winds to tonight.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous sz2's from the past cycle are still evident, but nothing from the last 24 hours.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and alpine elevations the Jan 6th facet and/or surface hoar layer is down 40-50cm. There have been some weakness noticed with this interface in windloaded areas where the slabs are thicker and more dense. In some areas, the windslabs themselves have the potential to fail. This has been noted in immediate lee areas. The crust from last week is still apparent at lower elevations, but is not a significant weakness or problem just yet.

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.