Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Not much winds with the most recent storm, but watch for pockets of wind slab as the wind shifts to the SW on Monday. The snowpack is shallow with many buried, or slightly buried, hazards.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Monday should be mostly sunny with the wind shifting to the SW and increasing in speed. Temperatures will climb to -5 in the Alpine. Tuesday could bring light precipitation in the afternoon.
Avalanche Summary
Isolated loose dry avalanches up to size 1.0 were observed in the Alpine on all aspects.
Snowpack Summary
The rain and wet snow that occurred on Friday has squished the snowpack and formed a crust up to 5cm thick at Treeline and below. The storm last night and this morning has deposited 10 to 15cm of cold dry snow on top of this crust, and unfortunately this is making for a poor bond at this interface. Very little wind effect has been observed in the recent snow, but in any area where a wind slab has formed it will likely be very easy to trigger. Treeline areas are exhibiting a 50 and 80cm deep snowpack. Lower elevations are below threshold for avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
The recent snow is not bonding to the underlying crust. Ice climbers in particular should be aware of their exposure to overhead terrain and terrain traps.
- Carry avalanche safety equipment on ice climbs in avalanche terrain.
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are very isolated, but watch for them in gullies and just below ridge crests. Where present, they may be easy to rigger but probably not very big.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Be very cautious with gully features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5