Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Pine Pass, Tumbler.
Wind slabs are a concern, especially where they sit over buried persistent weak layers.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs were reported in Pine Pass on Thursday.
Strong winds will reverse-load wind-exposed features.
Snowpack Summary
Exposed areas are highly wind-affected. In sheltered areas, the recent snow overlies a surface hoar layer most prevalent around treeline elevations and below. In sun-exposed terrain, surface hoar may rest atop a thin crust, while elsewhere it sits atop a mix of old wind-affected surfaces and weak, faceted snow.
A widespread crust with facets and/or surface hoar, buried in mid-January, is approximately 30 to 70 cm below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 27 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -27 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -27 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -27 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are a concern with a potential weak bond with the old surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2