Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A Spring storm is possible bringing up to 30cm. If this happens, be alert on changing conditions and the hazard to increase to Considerable.
Spring conditions exist in most location. North aspects may still hold the Persistent problem, be cautious and inspect. This is the time of year to start early and finish early. Watch for warming and direct solar input when travelling through terrain. Check out Avalanche Canada's blog on Spring Conditions for some good tips.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent activity observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
Expect 10-30cm of snow with the incoming storm. The closer the snow amounts approach the 30cm mark, expect the hazard to increase to Considerable.
This snow is likely to settle fast and be mildly affected by the light forecast winds. Expect to find a denser layer buried under the new snow in the alpine on all aspects. These buried denser layers could be sensitive to triggering where the underlying surface is a smooth crust. Otherwise, expect a melt-freeze surface layer (or near surface) on all solar aspects as well as all aspects at lower elevations. Higher elevation northerly aspects still hold dry snow. Cornices are starting to sag in the mid-April heat, and some recent collapses have been observed.
Timing is everything. As surface crusts break down during the day the stability will begin to decrease. Start early and finish early.
Weather Summary
It is Spring time so the weather and snow amounts can vary a lot. See the chart below.
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.
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Watch for sheltered northern areas where this layer may still exist. If triggered slabs could step down into the basal layers.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Watch for windslabs in lee's as you transition to ridge crest. There have been winds from the North in the past, look for signs of reverse loading.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2