Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

A cold front approaches from the north overnight, bringing light snowfall and cold temperatures. Snowfall will favour the Kakwa-Renshaw areas.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with strong west/northwest winds. Light snowfall begins with 3 cm possible. Freezing levels drop from 1500 m to valley bottom by morning. 

MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with up to 2-10 cm possible, light northerly winds. Freezing levels around 500 m. Alpine high of -8.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with isolated flurries possible. Light northerly winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom with alpine highs of -12. 

WEDNESDAY: Clearing skies with moderate northwest winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom with alpine highs of -10. 

Strong sun on Saturday produced loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 on sun affected slopes. 

There have also been a few small (size 1-1.5) human triggered slabs on north and east facing slopes over the past 4 days. These slabs have been in the top 20 to 30 cm of recent snow.

Strong northwest winds will redistribute snow onto south and east facing slopes. Small wind loaded pockets will build over sun crusts on south-facing slopes and wind affected alpine surfaces. A layer of surface hoar may be buried in wind-sheltered terrain features. The bond between wind distributed snow and old snow surfaces may be poor. 

Lower elevations have seen warm temperatures last week and have a melt freeze crust on the surface. 

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated with multiple crusts throughout. 

• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.