Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, Pine Pass, Tumbler.
Rider triggered persistent slab avalanches are possible. Stick to conservative terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
In the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary. They occurred on northerly aspects between 1600 and 2000 m and were 50 to 80 cm thick.
Riders could trigger similar avalanches in the coming days. Persistent slab problems take a while to heal so giving them time is warranted.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 70 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow . 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Riders could trigger storm slabs that formed from the weekend's snow. These slabs may remain touchy for a while, particularly where they have poor bonds to surface hoar, facets, or a hard crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering and has recently been triggered by riders.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3