Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
More snow is forecast overnight but the warm temps and lack of a freeze on Wednesday have made travel challenging. Pay close attention to the quality of the freeze overnight and incoming snow over the next 24hrs. Avalanche danger can change quickly at this time of year based on solar radiation and rapid loading from snow and or rain. Lots going on in "Spring" but need a good freeze to help get the snowpack back to a more user friendly state.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One new sz 2.5 deep persistent wet slab was observed on a north aspect in the Buller Mountain slide path control zone. The slide was around 2000m in elevation and in 35deg terrain on a north aspect. It was 100m with and up to 1m deep in places. There were also numerous loose wet avalanches in the region from steeper terrain below treeline.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temps, a minimal overnight freeze and some rain on Wednesday have dramatically changed the winter landscape out there at the moment. 10-15cm of wet heavy snow fell at 1800m with rain below this elevation. Winds were generally light but we did see the snowpack become iso-thermal in some shallow areas and trigger full depth avalanches. The chance for some dry snow exists in the upper elevations but getting up to it will be a challenge until the temperatures cool. Suspect there has been some new windslab development in the alpine but forecasters were not in the field on Wednesday.
An important thing to consider at this time of year is the Quality of the freeze overnight and how much solar radiation is forecast during the day. Avalanche can change from low in the cool mornings to high in the hot afternoons. The timing of this change is important to monitor so plan you trips with these factors in mind.
Weather Summary
Temperatures are forecast to cool overnight with 10cm of snow falling under the influence of an upslope system and another 5cm throughout the day on Thursday. The freezing level is forecast to drop overnight and be around 1800m for the next 24hrs.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for windslabs in the new snow from the past 24hrs in alpine areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Facets near the base of the snowpack may be triggered from thin areas. Solar slopes could see full depth avalanches when they heat up with daytime warming. Low probability, high consequence avalanches should be in your mind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Wet
The sensitivity of this problem will depend on solar input, cloud cover, air temps, and freezing levels.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5