Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Mushy snow remains down low, up high it will be crusty.
Avalanche debris and a developing melt-freeze will make travel tricky, trust me.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The natural avalanche cycle observed on the weekend and earlier in the week due to the warming event has begun to taper with cooling temperatures.
A fatal avalanche involving one snowmobiler occurred in the Hasler riding area last Saturday. The avalanche was triggered in a wind-loaded east-facing chute feature at treeline and ran approximately 250 m. For more details on this incident, see the Fatal Avalanche Incident report.
Snowpack Summary
Moist or crusty snow surfaces exist from recent rain and warm temperatures. In the alpine isolated pockets of wind-transported dry snow exist. At lower elevations the snowpack is isothermal.
Several weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack were producing large slab avalanches during the recent warming event. This activity is expected to taper with cooling temperatures.
In areas east of the Divide the snowpack is shallow and faceted with depths of 60 to 100 cm around treeline.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mainly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Alpine wind south 30 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1800 m.
Friday
Cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Alpine wind southwest 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 1700 m.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. Alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h from the west. Treeline temperature -7 C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h from the northwest. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
At lower elevations where the snowpack may remain saturated from rain and warm temperatures, wet loose avalanches may continue to occur and could entrain significant mass, resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5