Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Tumbler.
Wind slabs may be found on all aspects in the alpine. Check for old wind slabs buried by the most recent snowfall.
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
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -14 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with a trace of snow, south alpine wind 20 km/h, treeline temperature -16 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny, southwest alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud, southwest alpine wind 40-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.
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.
- Recent new snow may be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
20- 30 cm of recent snow and variable winds have created complicated patterns of wind effect.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2