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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2020–Mar 27th, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

INCREASED HAZARD. Touchy wind slabs out there. We please ask people to stay out of committing terrain. COVID19 is a serious problem and we don't want to add more work to the health care system.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Friday is forecast for another day of strong winds from the SW. Skies will be cloudy with the odd flurry and a temperature of -4c. Freezing level is forecast at 1600m.

Avalanche Summary

One new size 2.5 avalanche was noted on the east face of Mount Murray. It was initiated by a cornice release and the slab stepped down to ground in the upper section.  

Snowpack Summary

Big changes in the last 36hrs. We have received about 30cm of recent snow in the last few days that is slabbing up.The winds started on Wednesday and Thursday saw strong westerly winds. The alpine and parts of tree line have new slabs that are skier triggerable up to 50cm deep. With winds increasing on Friday, expect the windslabs to grow more and become more widespread in open terrain. Cornices are growing again, avoid being under them.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.

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.