Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A welcomed change in the weather. Snow is forecasted and is falling all around us currently. The potential for 35cm by Monday. This storm is coming with Extreme winds, so allow time for the snowpack to adjust before venturing in to any kind of bigger terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Crusts, crusts and more crusts...
Steep SW and W aspects have a thin crust from all of the recent warmth. It is easily breakable and tricky to deal with, but luckily it is not that widespread and predictable to find. There are also pockets of fresh windslab that are forming near ridges and open areas at treeline and above. These are resting on old facets and could build to the point of failing. The Feb crust is down about 20cm and widespread below 2500m. This will be a layer to watch during this next storm. There are facets on top of it that will not tolerate much load. Beneath the Feb crust the snowpack is a mish mash of old crusts and facets. Definitely worth digging or probing to see what its like in your terrain of choice.
Weather Summary
Saturday evening into Sunday morning, if we're lucky will see about 10cm. Sunday itself looks to be calling for another 10cm. A very welcomed change! Winds are howling out there and gusting to 90km/h up high. Day time temps will hover around -9
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
- Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This refers to existing slabs and new slabs that will form with incoming snow. The problem will potentially increase during the day tomorrow. The possibility of rapid change is there if snow amounts are higher than expected.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
This problem will exist on steep alpine and treeline features. Investigate the bond to the underlying snow
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
With the incoming storm, we may see this problem wake up. Give extra caution to overhead terrain and let the snowpack adjust to the new load
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5