Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A fatal avalanche occurred on Sunday (limited details available in the Avalanche Summary). The snowpack is tricky right now. Several skier triggered avalanches have occurred in the past 24hrs.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect and has been extended. Click the red SPAW link for details.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A fatal avalanche occurred Sunday on The Tower, not far from the Engadine Burn area. Details are still limited. A party of 2 triggered a large avalanche and was pushed into the trees. One skier survived, and unfortunately the other didn't. Further details to come.
In addition, at least 2 other close calls occurred in the region Sunday (check the MIN Reports) in the Burstall and Tryst areas. These two events were both skier triggered avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
The winds have been strong the last few days creating extensive wind slabs at tree line and above and if triggered, could step down to the Feb 2 layer down 70-100cm. Expect the most recent sun crust to be buried under 5-10cm of this incoming snow on solar aspects. This sun crust will be a new sliding layer for the most recent snow to avalanche on, especially if the snow amounts are larger than forecasted.
Weather Summary
Cloudy and flurries on Monday with up to 10cm of snow by mid-day. The high temperature in the alpine will be -5c and freezing level around 2000m. Winds are expected to slow down a bit to 50-60km/hr from the SW.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New slabs extend well below ridge lines. Expect crossloading in most features. Cornice failures may also trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Persistent Slabs
This layer is breaking down at the upper limits. At 2250m it is much weaker than last week.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Avalanches may step down to the weaker deep basal layers. If this layer is involved, expect full path avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5