Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, moderate west wind, alpine temperatures drop to -15 C.THURSDAY: Light snowfall along eastern slopes as upslope storm brings 5-10 cm of low density snow, moderate to strong southeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -12 C.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, strong west wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C.SATURDAY: 5-10 cm of snow, strong southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1500 m, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region, but natural avalanches continue to be reported in the Kananaskis region to the north.On Saturday, a size 2 natural deep persistent slab avalanche was observed on a south facing feature around 2100 m (more details here). There is also a great MIN report from the neighboring Lizard Range where a group of sledders share about their near miss on a steep southwest facing feature at ridgecrest.

Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on south aspects while the snow appears to have remained dry on north aspects.Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.