Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Dry snow can still be found on North aspects. Winds and some light snow is expected, so be on the lookout for new wind slabs. If the sun comes out or if the day starts out with moist snow, then the avalanche hazard could be higher than forecast.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported but it is getting difficult to distinguish what is new as there are so many.
Snowpack Summary
Low elevation areas had moist snow by 11am. If the sun comes out, be on the lookout for this change. Most direct solar aspects have a thick temperature crust that carries the weight of a skier. East and west aspects have more of a breakable crust and only pure north aspects have dry snow. The March 28th crust is down 20-50cm and found as high as 2600m. Above this elevation on the northern aspects there is still some uncertainty with regards to the basal layers so continue to be curious at this elevation. Some windslabs exist in the alpine at upper elevations.
Weather Summary
5cm snow is forecast Monday night. Tuesday will be mostly cloudy along with strong SW winds. Freezing level will be 1800m Monday night and climb to 2200m. The temperatures in the alpine have been above freezing since Sunday morning and will only get below freezing on Monday night.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
This will only occur on solar aspects when the sun comes out.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This layer is less reactive to triggering but still exists in the forecast region. When the sun comes out it may become more reactive.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Warm temperatures or strong solar input are the likely triggers for this layer. Limit exposure if its warm, or on a solar aspect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4