Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
It may still be possible to trigger avalanches in extreme terrain.
Monitor the surface crust. As it breaks down, start heading home.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday, there was a large cornice failure that triggered a wet loose avalanche out of extreme terrain.
Observations are limited at this time of year.
Snowpack Summary
A thin, surface crust is likely to form overnight and may break down each day. On northerly slopes in the alpine, there is 10 to 20 cm of preserved soft snow over settled old snow. Everywhere else there is a thick crust buried 10 to 20 cm deep.
Most terrain has undergone strong melt-freeze cycles, creating a strong, well bonded snowpack.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
- Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
If there is a thick crust on the surface, wet avalanches are unlikely.
The likelihood of wet avalanches will decrease on Sunday and Monday.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
On Monday, small wind slabs may form as new snow falls with wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Cornices are more likely to fail during warm weather.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5