Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A little bit of snow is on the way, but not enough to create much change in either avalanche hazard or ski quality. Look to sheltered northerly aspects for isolated pockets of soft snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
The recent snowfall of 3 to 10cm is settling rapidly on all but the most sheltered northerly aspects. Wind slabs dominate the Alpine landscape with multiple layers of laminated wind slabs in the upper snowpack. The Dec crust down 30 to 50cm is spotty through the forecast area, but is a layer of concern. The deeper Nov and Oct crusts are faceting and could be triggered with large loads such as a cornice or a surface wind slab. Overall snowpack depths are well below average, and in many lower elevation areas it has little to no strength.
Weather Summary
Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with light flurries. Snowfall amounts might reach 4cm if we're lucky, with most of that coming later in the afternoon. Temperatures should climb to -5C. Unfortunately it will be very windy through portions of the day with mountain top winds peaking at >100km/h.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for new surface windslabs developing in open areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
If triggered the surface wind slabs may step down to this layer and involve the entire winters snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5