Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Recent storm snow and buried weak layers may be primed for human triggering.
Avalanche danger will rise with new snow and wind Friday afternoon into Saturday.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche reports were submitted on Wednesday.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme winds have likely stripped available snow from south and west-facing slopes, redistributing it onto north and east-facing terrain features. A new surface crust may extend up into treeline and possibly some alpine areas. New snow expected Friday night may have a poor bond to these firm surfaces.
A concerning layer of surface hoar can be found around 30-50 cm deep.
A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found just above the ground. The snowpack is still shallow for this time of year. Average snowpack depths at treeline range from 65 to 90 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. Ridgetop wind 20-40 km/h from the south and temperatures near -8 C. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy with snow starting midday for the 24 hour period. Ridgetop wind 40 to 70 km/h and temperatures near -7 C. Freezing levels 1000 m.
Saturday
New snow, 20-30 cm by the afternoon. Ridgetop winds 40-65 km/h from the west. Freezing levels rise to 1500m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. Ridgetop wind 30-45 km/h from the west and temperatures near -5 C. Freezing levels valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggering in upper elevations. The greatest reactivity may be found in wind-loaded areas where slabs overlie surface hoar or a crust.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar is most likely to be found at treeline and above. Its most triggerable where the recent buried rain crust thins, or disappears at upper elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2