Avalanche Forecast
Regions: East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Sugarbowl, Tumbler.
Where a thick surface crust is present, large avalanches are less likely.
If unsure, choose mellow terrain and avoid being under steep slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. As temperatures drop, we expect natural avalanche activity to be less common.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle, with persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5, continued until Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Previously moist or wet snow surfaces are cooling and forming a melt freeze crust. The strong crust is expected to decrease the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
A widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 110 cm deep. This crust has a weak layer of facets above it in many areas.
The eastern portion of this region has a much shallower, highly variable and wind-affected snowpack.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h east ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures drop to -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m dropping to surface.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -3 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with trace snow flurries. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with trace snow flurries. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets rests above a hard melt freeze crust that formed in early February. Where the surface has a new, thick crust, human triggering of this weak layer is unlikely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5