Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 19th, 2024 1:30PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Dvonk, Avalanche Canada

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

North aspects are skiing great at the moment. Watch for surface sluffing on steeper terrain. When the sun comes out, observe the changing snowpack on those aspects and plan your touring accordingly to avoid exposing yourself to a sunny baking slope.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Field teams out in the Commonwealth loop today. No new avalanche activity was observed. Surface snow was sluffing easily when skiing steeper lines.

Snowpack Summary

Snow from Tuesday has provided a great refresh to the ski quality. North aspects are skiing amazingly right now. This recent snow overlies a strong crust and is bonding well except at higher elevations where it is sluffing easily. You may find the odd windslab in very specific terrain. The deeper persistent weak layers are still a concern where the snowpack is thin or when the crusts break down with direct solar radiation and/or daytime heating.

Weather Summary

Saturday should be another great day! Low of -11 and a mix of sun and cloud throughout the day. Temps will rise to -1° and freezing levels to 2400m. Winds will be 15-30km/h out of the SouthWest

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs are possible on all aspects due to recently variable winds. Check the new snow bond with the underlying crust. These slabs are possible at Ridgecrest's

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

The February crust is still a concern in high north alpine areas. low probability high consequence avalanches are possible.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 20th, 2024 3:00PM