Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Increasing wind and fresh snow to move around will keep the avalanche rating elevated. This new snow is sitting on a persistent weak layer that can not be trusted. Evaluate each slope you travel through, whether across or below. Remote triggering from below remains likely. The Canmore hill remains closed for at least one more day while clean up crews work on clearing avalanche debris and plowing the road.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No field day today and no reports of activity.
Snowpack Summary
70-100 cm of recent snow is now overlying the Feb 3rd crust complex. Wind slabs can be expected in this new snow which will be easy to trigger with a skiers weight. A weak layer of faceted crystals also exists above and below this crust that has been producing moderate sheers. This new snow has overloaded this layer and caused a natural avalanche cycle. The November basal facets are alive and well and back on our radar as the February 2 rain crust is deteriorating and not locking in the weaknesses below as it once did. Skier weight has now been able to break through the Feb 2 rain crust in some places, which means that the basal facets can now be more easily affected.
Weather Summary
Tuesday:
Cloudy with sunny periods with possible flurries. Day time high of -16 with 20-30km West winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
New snow is overloading the Feb 3rd persistent layer interface that developed in the warm spell in early February. This layer has facets above and below the crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Failures within the recent snow including windslabs, and storm slabs from rapid settlement have been observed in all elevations. Open areas below treeline where the new now is settling should be carefully evaluated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Avalanches may step down to the weeker deep basal layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5