Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McBride, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain. Heavy snowfall and wind have formed reactive slabs at all elevations.
Natural avalanches may occur.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Saturdays reports included evidence of a natural avalanche cycle to size 2 near Hasler. Larger cycles are likely to have occurred in areas with more significant snowfall.
Looking forward, rising temperatures and strong winds are likely to form sensitive slabs in wind affected terrain. Natural avalanches may occur.
Observations remain very limited this early in the season. If you head into the backcountry, please post to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Storm totals from the week vary from 60-150 cm across the region. This snow has fallen over another 70 cm of settling snow. Westerly winds will redistribute this snow into deep deposits at higher elevations.
A crust from early November may be found in the mid to lower snowpack, where it may be combined with surface hoar and facets. The distribution and reactivity of this layer are not well understood. It is uncertain whether avalanches are failing on this layer.
Below the snowpack consists of melt freeze crusts, facets, and depth hoar in some areas.
At treeline, snowpack depth ranges from 100 to 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow possible. 40-70 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
Monday
Partly cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. Localised areas in the far north of this region may see higher amounts. 70+ km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures reach 0 °C with an above freezing layer moving in.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Heavy snowfall over the week has formed a storm slab at all elevations. Storm snow will take time to bond to the old snow surface. Steer clear of steep slopes and rollovers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Strong winds are expected to build deep and reactive wind slabs near ridgelines and terrain rollovers Mild temperatures will help the cohesion of these slabs, and increase reactivity.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5