Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Cold temperatures will continue over the next 24hrs. so try to be on sunny aspects if you go out. Watch for windslabs alone ridgelines on all aspects.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few loose dry avalanches up to sz 1 were obsreved.
Snowpack Summary
5-8cm of new snow over the past few days has done little to change the overall avalanche danger. Winds have been light but there is pockets of windslabs along ridgelines and in crossloaded gully features that were cracking with skier traffic.
The cold temps are only making the weak base weaker. Unfortunately this will likely remain with us for the season....
The new snow is likely to sluff easily in steeper terrain. This is of particular importance to ice climbers who are often in steep gullies.
Weather Summary
Saturday will be COLD again! But at least its sunny!!! Winds will be light out of the north. Daytime highs will be around -18C but the morning will be in the mid -20s. The ridge will begin to break down later in the week.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
- Winter conditions may exist in gullies, alpine bowls, and around ridgelines.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are expected in terrain along ridgelines and in gullied areas. Feel for that drummy or hollow snowpack under your feet. This is an indication of a windslab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Loose dry avalanches within the upper snowpack in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5