Kananaskis

The strong winds continue to redistribute recent snow, building widespread wind slabs on most aspects. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but cautious route selection is advised as you transition into wind effected snow. Also be mindful of overhead hazard.

Several naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 have occurred in the past 48hrs on South, East and North aspects in Alpine and Treeline elevation bands. These slabs range from 30 to 100cm deep.

Avalanche control in the past few days has consistently triggered wind slabs up to size 2.0 in Alpine terrain.

Wind slabs are widespread in the Alpine and open areas at treeline. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered, many areas are prime for human-triggering. The recent storm snow is settling at lower elevations, but sheltered areas still have great skiing. The Nov crust layers are buried 120 to 180cm and are beginning to facet. Some recent avalanches have stepped down to the Nov crust, but this has recently been more common in shallow snowpack areas.

Tuesday will be a mix of sun and cloud with high tempos near -3C. Winds will start the day near 60km/h from the SW and increase to almost 100km/h. No precip is expected.

https://hpfx.collab.science.gc.ca/~fsg006/productviewer/ab/table/AB_Rockies_Forecast.html

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
• Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.