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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2025–Feb 9th, 2025

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

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East.

Look for areas that have been sheltered from the wind for the lowest avalanche danger and the softest snow.

Wind slabs are a concern at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

  • Friday: The south rockies field team found hard wind slab in the treeline and below treeline see their MIN report here.

  • Thursday: Southwest of Pincher Creek, a small (size 1), rider triggered slab avalanche was reported in east facing treeline terrain. See the MIN post here for more information.

Ongoing sluffing from steep terrain has been reported throughout the region.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 35 cm of soft snow is on the surface in sheltered terrain, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. Wind has varied in direction and speed, so expect to find wind affect on all aspects.

The new snow may be bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow at higher elevations.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with flurries. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.