Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
As we transition to spring, expect avalanche hazard to increase in the afternoon with sun and daytime warming. Plan to start and finish early!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A road patrol along the spray noted no new avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Surface snow conditions are frozen in the morning and becoming moist by noon. Sheltered areas and polar aspects will provide the best skiing with little wind effect. Be aware of sluffing on solar aspects if the sun comes out. Forecasters continue to track persistent weaknesses down anywhere from 40 to 100cm on polar aspects. These weaknesses are highly variable in nature and travelers should take the time to dig down and evaluate the snowpack frequently. Also, the lingering deep persistent slab problem is still alive and well.
Weather Summary
Monday will see cloudy sky's and possibility of flurries. Day time highs of 1 degree and light NW winds. Freezing levels around 2400m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The persistent layer is down roughly 100cm. North aspects is where this layer has been most active.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Shallow snowpack areas are an area of special concern, especially with intense solar radiation and/or daytime heating.
Great evidence of this problem avalanching is easy to find along the spray road right now.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5