Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Existing windslabs are starting to settle and become less reactive. Sticking to low or moderate angle slopes is still critical for safe travel.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today, but observations were limited.
Snowpack Summary
Last night's new snow has settled out a bit today. Windslabs and settlement slabs have begun to bond with the underlying layers. While cracking and whumphing is less common, triggerable windslabs will still be present near ridges and wind prone areas. The bigger (and deeper) problems still exist in the lower snowpack and their assessment should be an ongoing theme while the new snow continues to settle.
Weather Summary
Thursday will see a low of -14 and a high of -5. No snow, and light winds from the SW.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds and snowfall have created fresh, sensitive wind slabs in the Alpine and open areas at treeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Thin areas are where this layer will be easiest to trigger. Be thinking about wide propagations as the snowpack above is more cohesive than before.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3