Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Continued sunny sky's and no snow in the forecast. Be aware of sluffing in steeper terrain, Like above ice climbs.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
10-25cm of snow fell earlier in the week with lots of variety on depth based on location! Closer to the divide was less and the east side of the park saw a bit more snow. This new snow fell on a variety of snow surfaces from melt freeze crusts up to 2700m on solar aspects and older windslabs and facetted surfaces on polar aspects. Expect to encounter persistent slabs on lee aspects from winds earlier in the winter. These will be prominent along ridgelines and in gullies. Watch for triggering these slabs from thinner unsupported snowpack areas. Its still very early season out there with a generally low snowpack. Widespread surface hoar is also developing that may become a problem once it gets buried!
Weather Summary
No notable weather changes over the next 3 days. Light winds from the SW with higher winds at 3000m predominantly from the NW in the strong range. No snow and mostly sunny sky's dominate our region.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Slabs are reactive on the basal facets and possibly an intact crust at lower elevations.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5