Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
The spaw is no longer in effect for the region. This by no way means that things are better out there!
Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.
High freezing levels, minimal to no overnight recovery, means that the avalanche danger rating has been bumped to HIGH as the snowpack, which is already very fragile is tested.
Stay clear of avalanche terrain until the temperatures cool off and the snowpack has time to settle.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No field teams in the Kananaskis region today.
One would suspect some level of natural activity today with the warm temps (+6 @ Burstall pass at 1300).
Snowpack Summary
With the moist snow that was observed yesterday, there was a fresh melt freeze crust this morning up to 2400m. This would have broken down pretty quickly in the morning and the upper snowpack is moist again and possibly several hundred meters higher. The upper snowpack continues to settle, bond and strengthen with warm temps and intermittent snow. However don't forget the structure in which this new snow is sitting on. It is weak, faceted and can not be trusted. Snowpack tests are easily repeatable with sudden collapse results. Red flags such as whumpfs and cracking are becoming less frequent. This is due to the upper snowpack gaining height and stiffening up, thus not disturbing the weak layers below. Dig down and have a look at the lower snowpack.
Weather Summary
Wednesday:
Cloudy with sunny periods, No precip expected.
Winds will be generally light out of the Southwest.
What is worth mentioning is the rising temperatures and rising freezing levels.
Wednesdays freezing levels currently are forecasted for 2400m.
Thursday: Freezing levels rise even further to 2700m with the possibility of thunder showers and 12 cm of some sort of precipitation rain/sleet/wet snow.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. This layer is not reacting well to new loading, or even re-loading from wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Recent ongoing winds and the addition of snow Monday will continue to build fresh windslabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Some recent avalanches have stepped down to the basal facets running full path to ground.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4