Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Some snow, some rain and of course winds from the SW are doing nothing good for the snowpack in the short term. In the alpine the windslabs are growing with the little bit of new snow, and in the valley's the travel is almost impossible unless you are on an established track.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported today.
Snowpack Summary
10cm of new snow with the top 3-5cm being moist, sits above the Dec16th surface hoar layer. Below that the Nov 16th Surface hoar layer is starting to show signs of faceting out, However we were able to get repeatable Moderate compression results on this layer. Below is extreme faceting to ground with depth hoar.
Weather Summary
7cm forecasted, joined by moderate to strong Southwest winds. The freezing levels will be around 1900m. The spray road sits at about 1850m, So expect rain at lower elevations and moist snow above.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
This layer should be monitored as elevation is gained. Despite being labelled as deep, it can be a ways off the ground. Entrainment is a major concern. These avalanches could run to valley bottom.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Continuing SW winds and warmer temps will continue the growth of windslabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2