Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Avoid exposure to all avalanche terrain. Be aware that low elevation terrain may seem safe, but undetected overhead exposure poses a significant threat.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday saw more loose wet activity. Up to sz 2.5, and in most case scrubbing to ground. These will continue.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is finally starting to adjust to the warm temps and the transition to a spring snowpack is starting. Surface snow conditions are frozen in the morning and becoming moist by noon. Sheltered areas and polar aspects will provide the best skiing with little wind effect. Be aware of sluffing on solar aspects if the sun comes out. Forecasters continue to track persistent weaknesses down anywhere from 40 to 100cm on polar aspects. These weaknesses are highly variable in nature and travelers should take the time to dig down and evaluate the snowpack frequently. Also, the lingering deep persistent slab problem is still alive and well.
Weather Summary
Expect very warm, or even hot temperatures got the next while. Freezing levels are above summit elevations around the clock and refreezes are not expected for the near future. With that, skies will be clear and winds will be light for the next few days. In a nutshell, its spring and its time to let the snowpack melt and transition to a new season.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem is expected to wake up with the rapidly warm temperatures and rising freezing levels to well over 3000m.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
All aspects and elevations with rapid warming and zero recovery.
Becoming more reactive by the weekend as temperatures reach their max values.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wet Slabs
As the snowpack becomes isothermic from a lack of recovery overnight, the potential for wet slabs increases.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3