Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Low avalanche Danger doesn't mean no avalanche danger.
During a flight through the region on Tuesday we confirmed that the snowpack levels are below average. Deepest snow is along the divide. Avoid solar aspects during the heat of the sun.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches reported or observed on a flight through the region.
Snowpack Summary
There is uncertainty if the warmer air aloft will have impact on the snowpack. If in doubt, it is best to air on the side of caution and avoid exposure to steeper solar aspects.
Some northerly winds have created small isolated windslabs that do not extend far downslope along ridgelines that are overlying a thin melt freeze crust. The snowpack is mainly facetted but generally well settled. Widespread hard windslabs can be found in most open areas at treeline and above. These slabs are stubborn to trigger but if you are in steep thin terrain, you may be able to find a pocket that is reactive.
The Kananaskis valley is generally below threshold in many areas at treeline and below.
Weather Summary
See Table
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind prone features, such as lee and cross-loaded gullies could have dense wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2