Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
The natural avalanche cycle has started to taper off. That means the snowpack is 100% primed for human triggering. Be very suspect of any slope that has not avalanched and make very conservative decisions for the following days as the snowpack has time to adjust and heal. People are reporting excellent skiing. Equal amounts of people are reporting large whumpfs and close calls with avalanches. The Canmore hill remains closed while snow removal crews work tirelessly to get the roads safe for travel once again.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect. Click the red SPAW link for details.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Thanks again for great Min reports! found: Here.
Sunday KMR was able to get out and complete an avalanche control mission. East end of Mt. Rundle performed well and debris hit the Canmore hill burying the road up to 5 meters deep and 20 meters wide.
Mt. Buller also ran full path several times and was impressive propagation in the large open alpine and treeline features.
On the flight, pretty good visibility showed continued evidence of a wide spread avalanche cycle on all aspects running far.
Snowpack Summary
60-90cm of recent snow is now overlying the Feb 3rd crust complex. Storm slabs and wind slabs can be expected in this new snow which will be easy to trigger with a skiers weight. A weak layer of faceted crystals also exists above and below this crust that has been producing moderate sheers. This new snow is beginning to overload this layer and cause a natural avalanche cycle. The November basal facets are alive and well and back on our radar as the February 2 rain crust is deteriorating and not locking in the weaknesses below as it once did. Skier weight has now been able to break through the Feb 2 rain crust in some places, which means that the basal facets can now be more easily affected.
Weather Summary
Monday:
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries 3-5cm.
Day time high -13 with light West winds
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
New snow is overloading the Feb 3rd persistent layer interface that developed in the warm spell in early February.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Wind Slabs
Failures within the recent snow including windslabs, and storm slabs from rapid settlement have been observed in all elevations. Open areas below treeline where the new now is settling should be carefully evaluated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Avalanches may step down to the weeker deep basal layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5