Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Good skiing can be found on low angle polar aspects. Deeper weak layers are still a concern in the snowpack. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human triggering remains likely at upper elevations.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed today.
Snowpack Summary
Expect a melt freeze crust on solar aspects unless the sun comes out or if the temperature rises. Good skiing on dry snow can be found on polar aspects. At treeline, an average of 30cm of recent storm snow overlies the Mar 28 crust. This crust is 10cm thick at valley bottom, and 5cm thick at treeline, which easily carries the weight of a skier. Take the time to monitor the presence of this crust; if it is not there, then there could be a higher likelihood of triggering the basal facets. The Jan 30th layer buried 60 to 100cm deep is still a concern. It could become active with intense heating (daytime temps and/or solar input), and it is also problematic on northern aspects at higher elevations and in shallow snowpack areas. Human triggering is possible to likely in these areas. Forecasters continue to have low confidence in the snowpack due to an exceptionally weak base with dense slabs over top.
Weather Summary
Temperatures on Monday night are expected to drop to -8c in the alpine and climb up to -1c on Tuesday. Expect a cloudy day with light flurries all day. Winds will be light from the West, along with a freezing level of 2100m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer still persists throughout the region. Be especially cautious at upper elevations where the Mar 28th crust has not formed (mainly northerly aspects), and in shallow snowpack areas. Solar aspects are also a concern during periods of intense heating.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Continue to limit exposure to overhead hazard In areas that haven't avalanched,
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4