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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2022–Jan 11th, 2022

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Warm temperatures, new snow, and Extreme winds are changing the snowpack. Give the snowpack time to adjust to the changes. Good riding can still be found in Wind sheltered locations low down in the terrain

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to unpredictable avalanche behavior.

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures -4, Extreme West winds and up to 5cm expected for tomorrow. Clouds will be in and out all day tomorrow

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today on a road patrol. The lack of natural avalanche activity gives pause to the forecasters. As large amounts of new snow and winds are prime recipe for a natural cycle. Human triggering is likely in wind affected area's

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow 50-60cm is settling with the warmer temperatures and continues to be blown by the unrelenting winds the last couple days. Proud features are stripped bare along the Spray and almost all snow surfaces have some sort of visual wind effect. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

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.

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.