Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, Pine Pass, Tumbler.
A persistent slab is within the range of rider triggering. The best way to manage this problem is to stick to conservative terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There is no recent activity to report, however in the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary.
Riders could trigger similar avalanches in the coming days. Persistent slab problems take a while to heal so giving them time is warranted.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 60 to 80 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with clear breaks and isolated flurries, 1 to 2 cm accumulation. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow has been redistributed by wind blowing from a variety of directions. Smaller slabs may easily step down and trigger larger, more destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering .
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3