Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Until we get another round of snow there will be little change in our snowpack. Wide daytime temperature fluctuations are helping consolidate the surface windslabs.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Another dry day tomorrow. No snow is expected. Winds will pick up to about 30km/hr from the west Temperatures will spike again during the day with a high of -6.
Avalanche Summary
There was a recent cornice triggered slab avalanche behind Pocaterra Ridge. It entrained a lot of snow from the cliff face, but didn't trigger the deeper layers below. From a distance maybe a sz2 on an east aspect.
Snowpack Summary
Today's sunny skies made for warm temps on southern exposures. Probably not warm enough to form a crust, but there is a slight chance of an isolated sun crusts around trees and rocks. As usual westerly winds scoured all windward slopes in the alpine. Lots of transport was noted, but not a lot of slab development as most of the snow was blown to Calgary and beyond. Other than that its business as usual: a buried crust down 20-50cm and surface windslabs near ridges.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for windslabs in alpine areas in the upper snowpack. Gullies and ridgelines are common areas to find these issues.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Despite the lack of avalanche activity we are still closely watching this layer. It is slowly breaking down in shallow areas, which will eventually cause problems.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5