Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
The best and safest riding will be in sheltered terrain where the snow is soft. As you get above the trees, avoid areas that the wind has loaded.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported since Friday.
If you are out in the backcountry consider submitting your observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find 20 to 40 cm of settling snow in sheltered terrain. The southwesterly wind has scoured to the ground on windward slopes and likely formed wind slabs on lee slopes and cross-loaded terrain.
A crust from early December is buried up to 80 cm deep. Snowpack tests and a lack of recent avalanches suggest that this layer is trending unreactive, however, observations are limited in this region.
The lower snowpack is settled and strong.
Data is very limited, please submit a MIN report if you head into the mountains. Any information or a photo is helpful!
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny with increasing clouds. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Old wind slabs in the alpine from southwest wind may still be rider-triggerable, as well as new slabs from low-elevation north wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2