Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Tumbler.
Monitor the wind direction and keep an eye out for blowing snow building new reactive wind slabs near ridge crests.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There was rider triggered size 2 avalanche reported on Saturday in the Hasler area. Check out the MIN report here.
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 10 to 20 cm of new snow has accumulated over the past few days. Moderate winds from the northeast may redistribute this new snow and develop small, isolated wind slabs directly lee of ridges. These new wind slabs sit over a crust on solar aspects and on high north-facing terrain possibly over facets and surface hoar.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
A weak layer of large facets is found near the base of the snowpack. This layer could still be a concern in very shallow snowpack areas.
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Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly clear. Light northeast wind. High of -4 °C at treeline.
Tuesday
Mainly sunny. Light northwest wind. High of -2 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1500m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light variable wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1500m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west wind. High of -1 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1700m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate northeast winds may have redistributed recent snow into wind slabs on westerly aspects at treeline and above. These small wind slabs may be reactive where they are building over crusts and hard wind-pressed snow.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5