Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Where a thick surface crust is present, large avalanches are unlikely.
If unsure, choose mellow terrain and avoid being under steep slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. With a thick surface crust forming from below-freezing temperatures, we expect persistent slab avalanches to become unlikely to trigger.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle, with persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5, continued until Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
About 5 cm of new snow now overlies a strong melt-freeze crust. This crust is expected to decrease the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
A widespread crust, formed in early February, is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a weak layer of facets above it in many areas.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures drop to -12 °C. Freezing level 1000 m dropping to surface.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.
Friday
Few clouds. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -10 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets rests above a hard melt freeze crust that formed in early February. Where the surface has a new, thick crust, human triggering of this weak layer is unlikely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5