Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Strong winds will form small reactive windslabs throughout the day.
A widespread surface crust has created relatively stable avalanche conditions, but travel is challenging.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity has been reported.
If you head out consider posting to the mountain information network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of dry snow has accumulated atop a widespread hard crust. In general, the crust is strong and supportive to travel on.
Currently, it's unlikely that any lingering weak layers deeper in the snowpack could be triggered due to the strong supportive crust above.
Last week's warm temperatures significantly melted the snowpack below the treeline and in shallow alpine terrain. See the North Rockies MIN post for photos of conditions in the Morfee area.
Areas in the east of the region are largely characterized by a shallow and faceted snowpack.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly clear, 30 to 40 km/h west alpine wind, treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, 50 to 70 km/h west alpine wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, 40 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny, 30 to 40 km/h northwest alpine wind, treeline temperature -6 °C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds will build new windslabs throughout the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2