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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 21st, 2023–Apr 22nd, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Decent skiing continues to be found on polar aspects where the sun hasn't touch it. Continue to start early and finish early as good spring habits.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field teams today.

No avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces such as wind slabs and melt/freeze crusts. 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.

If the sun comes out stability will deteriorate quickly so pay attention to the incoming radiation on aspects you are travelling on or under. Early starts and finishes are a great way to deal with some of these issues.

Weather Summary

Continued cloudy conditions with trace amounts of snow in the forecast for the weekend.

Winds are lighter, 20km out of the SW swapping to west on Saturday.

Day time highs of -4 and freezing levels around 2100m.

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

Loose Dry

This will be a problem on steep alpine terrain or where this storm snow sits on top of a developed melt freeze crusts.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

The persistent layer is down roughly 100cm. May wake up again with increasing precipitation. 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