Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Spring conditions exist in most location. North aspects may still hold the Persistent problem, be cautious and inspect. This is the time of year to start early and finish early. Watch for warming and direct solar input when travelling through terrain. Check out Avalanche Canada's blog on Spring Conditions for some good tips.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No recent activity observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs are evident in the alpine on all aspects. While these slabs are not deep, they could be sensitive to triggering where the underlying surface is a smooth crust. Otherwise, expect a melt-freeze surface layer (or near surface) on all solar aspects as well as all aspects at lower elevations. Higher elevation northerly aspects still hold dry snow. Cornices are starting to sag in the mid-April heat, and some recent collapses have been observed.
Timing is everything. As surface crusts break down during the day the stability will begin to decrease. Start early and finish early.
Weather Summary
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. High -4 Light winds. FZL 2200m
Monday: SNOW! Heavy at times, current models show varying amounts with highest currently saying 30+cm. Temps will drop to -8 and the winds will remain light. FZL 1800m
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Low of -9 with slightly more winds. 15-25km/h. FZL 2000m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Watch for sheltered northern areas where this layer may still exist. If triggered slabs could step down into the basal layers.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Be mindful that at this time of year any short bursts of solar radiation could be enough to trigger slides.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Watch for windslabs in lee's as you transition to ridge crest. There have been winds from the North in the past, look for signs of reverse loading.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2