Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
A trace of new snow fell overnight closer to the divide but little as you move further east. Windslabs are common in alpine areas and avalanche that occurs will likely step down to ground. and involve the complete winter snowpack.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed during a flight through the region on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
About 4-5cm of recent snow along the divide from light flurries. Not enough to make the skiing better or increase the hazard at this time. Recent winds have created some wind slab development in widespread areas such as cross loaded gullies and the lee sides of mountain passes. The snowpack varies a lot. Thicker areas at tree line and above with close to 100cm of snow have a much denser snowpack while most areas below tree line have 40-50cm and consist mostly of facets(sugar snow).
The weak basal facets are still a concern and have a potential to be triggered from thin snowpack areas which are still plentiful at this time.
Weather Summary
See table
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs are commonplace in open alpine terrain.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
If triggered, surface wind slabs may step down and involve this layer. Avalanche sizes could be surprisingly large if this happens.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5