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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2020–Feb 3rd, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

This latest storm has dropped 25cm of snow along with strong winds. Rain up to 2100m. Approach all terrain with caution and investigate how the new snow is bonding.

Confidence

Low -

Weather Forecast

Monday is to bring mainly cloudy skies with 5cm of snow. Temperature will climb to -12c by mid day and drop to -23c by Tuesday morning. Winds are expected to be light from the SW and increasing for Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 2 avalanches were observed along the Spray Road. The most impressive was the avalanche control on EEOR (Mt. Rundle). Five out six charges that were dropped created avalanche and covered the road. Road will be closed to at least 4pm on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

The rain over the week end penetrated the snow pack up to about 2100m and created a crust on the surface when the temperature dropped.Above 2100m, there was up to 25cm of new snow. Extensive winds were associated with the storm and has left widespread wind slabs in the alpine and into tree line. Below 1700m, the snow pack was still wet below the surface crust. Please stay tuned this week as we get a handle on how this recent storm is bonding and how the snow is reacting. Right now, things are reactive out there and the alpine and tree line should be approached with caution.

Terrain and Travel

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Problems

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.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.