Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
High Freezing levels and strong solar input is forecast for Sunday. If you head out, be sure to start your trip EARLY and be done early before conditions warm up. Northern aspects are still holding dry snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One recent sz 2 avalanche in the Miners gully area close to Canmore. Teams were out of the field by noon on Saturday and no other avalanches were noted.
Snowpack Summary
Low elevation areas had moist snow by 11am. Most direct solar aspects have a thick temperature crust that carries the weight of a skier. East and west aspects have more of a breakable crust and only pure north aspects have dry snow. The March 28th crust is down 20-50cm and found as high as 2600m. Above this elevation on the northern aspects there is still some uncertainty with regards to the basal layers so continue to be curious at this elevation. Winds increased out of the NW throughout the and some windslab development was noted at upper elevations.
With the strong solar input forecast on Sunday be sure to limit your exposure to solar aspects. Cornices are also failing in the heat at this time of year.
Weather Summary
Temperatures are forecast to warm up on Sunday with daytime highs around +2. Freezing levels are forecast to climb to 3000m with clear skies and strong solar input. Winds are forecast to be light out of the NW.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds at upper elevations created new windslabs along ridgelines and in immediate lee.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This layer is less reactive to triggering but still exists in the forecast region. When the sun comes out it may become more reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Warm temperatures or strong solar input are the likely triggers for this layer. Limit exposure if its warm, or on a solar aspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4