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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 15th, 2024–Apr 16th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Winter will make an appearance once again. Cold temperatures and up to 20+ cm of snow on Tuesday. If you do get skiing, be cautious of the sluffing in steeper terrain as the snow will likely not bond well with the colder temps

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Teams started early today and were out of the Field by 11am. No new avalanches observed, but continued evidence of loose wet on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Monday morning had a good radiation freeze and locked in the snowpack well where previously moist from the high freezing levels. This was breaking down on east aspects by 10am. It's very much a spring snowpack up to about 2400m. Above that there are still layers, including the Feb persistent layer and the deep basal layers.

Weather Summary

We are entering a spring storm cycle. Monday night will see a drastic change in the weather and flurries starting. Tuesday morning current models anticipate 17 cm of snow throughout the day, increasing winds to 50km/h out of the NorthWest and cooling temperatures down to -8. Wednesday the sun will try and appear as the cold are descends on the region. Low temps of -15.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be cautious of sluffing.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

New storm snow sluffing easily on buried frozen layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are possible in immediate lee and cross loaded features within the new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Still a problem on the polar, alpine areas.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3