Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Use caution as you transfer into wind-affected terrain.
Human-triggered avalanches are possible.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small to large (size 1 to 2) wind slab avalanches out of steep alpine terrain were reported since Tuesday.
Expect the chances of an avalanche to increase on sun-exposed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 60 cm overlies a hard melt-freeze crust and isolated surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered treeline terrain.
Variable winds have created windslabs on all aspects near or just below ridge crests in the alpine and treeline elevations.
A weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains buried mid-February is around 50 to 100 cm deep, but is showing signs of strengthening.
The lower snowpack is well-settled.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can be triggered by riders. Chances of triggering increase on sun exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2