Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A touch of new snow and strong winds overnight could create some reactive, but thin wind slabs in the Alpine. Plan to start early and finish early, watch the changing snow conditions, especially on solar aspects if the sun does come out.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Several loose dry avalanches up to size 1.0 were observed in extreme terrain on N and E aspects Monday due to the very strong westerly flow. No slab avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
Crusts are found on all aspects below 2400m, and higher on solar aspects. At treeline today 1 to 2cm of new snow sits on top of the crust. The crust is supportive to a skier, but not to foot traffic. Strong westerly winds today redistributed a lot of snow at upper elevations and wind slabs are found in alpine areas along ridgelines and in lee and cross-loaded features.
An important thing to consider at this time of year is the quality of the freeze overnight. Avalanche danger can change from low in the cool mornings to high in the hot afternoons. The timing of this change is important to monitor so plan you trips with these factors in mind.
Weather Summary
A brief storm Monday night and into Tuesday morning may bring 5cm of new snow with extreme westerly winds. Daytime temperatures Tuesday will be near -2C and freezing levels will reach 2200m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recently formed wind slabs will be found on lee and cross-loaded terrain due to extreme west winds in the past 24hrs. Also watch for previously formed wind slabs on all aspects due to a period of northerly winds. These slabs will be more reactive where they are overlying a temperature crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Facets near the base of the snowpack may be triggered from thin areas and this season there are lots of thin areas. Dont try to outsmart the snowpack and stick to conservative terrain until we get into a good spring diurnal cycle.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
The Feb crust has been the main bed surface for many avalanches this winter. Slopes and features that have not slid should be treated cautiously or just avoided. Dig and look.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3