Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A couple centimeters of snow is welcomed, but much more is needed to make a significant difference. Skiing where there has been significant traffic previous will provide the best opportunity for good turns.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported or observed.
Snowpack Summary
The trace amounts of snow over the past week has added up to 10cm at treeline. This snow is overlying previous 20-40 cm thick windslabs that continue to settle and slowly strengthen with the seasonal temperatures we are experiencing. The Dec 7th temperature crust can be found on solar aspects up to 2500m down 30-50cm and the weak basal facets that once were the November and October crusts are close to ground. Thin areas where the basal layers could be triggered should be treated with caution. The windslabs seem easy to "feel" and locate as you approach ridgelines and col's and should also be treated with caution especially in convex or unsupported areas. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack will likely involve the entire snowpack and scrub down to ground so keep this in mind as you travel.
Weather Summary
Tuesday:
A mix of sun and cloud.
15km/h West wind
Day time high of -13. No precip expected.
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.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs in the upper snowpack are common in alpine 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