Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
We have a perfect recipe for an avalanche: a hard slab that is sitting on top of sugary snow(facets). Approach wind loaded areas with caution. Ice climbers, pay attention to warming.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new has been noted in the last couple of days but still lots of older signs of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
The warmer temperatures will continue to settle the snowpack. We have about 20cm of snow in the valley bottom and 40-70cm at treeline and above. Variability in snow amounts is the theme here but generally not enough to ski yet. Lee features and cross loaded gullies will have the most snow but are also areas of concern for triggering slab avalanches. As a very general summary, we have 4 layers: sugary facets on the ground, a thin intermittent crust, a wind slab(persistent slab) in wind prone areas, and finally, the newer settled "storm" snow layer on the top. If you're at all experienced in the Rockies, you'll simply know this as a classic early season snowpack!
Weather Summary
Expect a mix of sun and cloud. Winds are forecast to be strong from the SW along with above freezing temperatures in the alpine.Wednesday
Snow is forecast to start late morning and we can see upwards of 10cm.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Slabs are reactive on the basal facets and possibly an intact crust at lower elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2