Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Tumbler.
Check out our Forecasters' Blog about factoring extreme cold into your trip plans. This is not the kind of weather you want to be stuck in!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new or recent avalanches have been reported, however there are very few field observations coming from this forecast area.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 5-10 cm of new snow fell in the region in the early week. It added to an existing skiff of snow atop a widespread crust presently found at or near the surface below 1400 m. South facing slopes are generally scoured.
The snowpack is generally shallow and faceted (weak, sugary) with multiple crusts in the mid snowpack. Pockets of deeper, wind-loaded snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths.
Average snowpack depths at treeline are roughly 20 to 80 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy with lingering flurries and a final trace of new snow. Northeast alpine wind 20-25 km/h.
Wednesday
Becoming mainly sunny or thin overcast. Northeast alpine wind 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -29°C.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. Northeast alpine wind 25-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -32°C.
Friday
Sunny. North alpine wind 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -36.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Light new snow amounts and variable winds likely formed small wind slabs across a range of aspects. Older, harder, more stubborn wind slabs in gullies likely sit on weak, faceted basal snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5