Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 4th, 2024 11:45AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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

Be conservative with terrain for the next little while. Recent storm snow will remain a concern until we return to a spring snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous recent loose wet / loose dry avalanches up to sz 2.5 on all aspects. Two recent skier accidental avalanches also occurred on north aspects at 2250m failing below the recent storm snow down 75-100cm.

Snowpack Summary

New surface crust today on all but shaded/north aspects above 2200m. Below this 50-75cm of recent storm snow overlies a buried crust. This interface has been reactive to skier traffic, and will remain a concern until conditions return to a spring snowpack. Be patient and conservative with terrain for the next little while.

Weather Summary

Another system is set to hit us Sunday morning, with forecasted precip amounts up to 30cm by Wednesday night. This system is coming in warm, which could mean rain below 2000m. keep an eye on new snow amounts, and how it bonds with the existing surfaces.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Be cautious anywhere this layer isn't capped with a supportive melt-freeze crust. This layer will remain a concern until spring conditions return. If triggered it will likely create large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Concern remains for basal instabilities on high north areas. Be cautious in thin areas. This is low probability high consequence.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: May 7th, 2024 3:00PM