Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Tumbler.
Wind slabs may be found on all aspects in the alpine, use extra caution around steep and convex slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday in the Bullmoose area; small windslabs of varying ages (some fresh and some old and hard) were reported. See photos here.
If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
10 cm of snow fell on Friday resulting in a total of 20-30 cm of recent soft snow on the surface. In places it is heavily wind affected and sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind-scoured snow and faceted snow. At treeline and below, the recent snow sits on a widespread crust and pockets of surface hoar.
The snowpack is shallow and faceted with multiple crusts. Pockets of deeper snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths. Average snowpack depths at treeline are between 60 and 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, south alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 30-60 km/h, treeline temperature 1 °C, with an above freezing layer from 900-1500 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
20- 30 cm of recent snow as well as variable wind direction and intensity have created complicated patterns of wind effect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2