Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kakwa, McGregor, North Rockies, Pine Pass, Renshaw.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar has been reactive to human-triggering in recent days. The safest way to manage this problem is through conservative terrain choices.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred over the weekend. Several rider triggered slab avalanches have also been reported throughout the region.
Check out this MIN from Powder King on Saturday, detailing a skier-triggered persistent slab. This MIN shows avalanches that occurred in Torpy on Friday. We suspect these avalanches ran on one of the surface hoar layers in the top meter of the snowpack.
Looking forward to Tuesday, buried weak layers continue to be the main concern.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slab near ridge crests by strong winds. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.
The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 30 cm , a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 50 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 60 to 100 cm.
Snowpack depth throughout this region is highly variable and as a result the depths of the above mentioned layers are approximate and could be different than what you find in your riding area.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mainly cloudy with possible light rain. Southwest alpine wind 60 to 100 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rises to 1500 m in the north and 2500 m in the south.
Tuesday
Cloudy with rain turning to snow, trace to 10 cm of accumulation. Southwest alpine wind 50 to 100 km/h. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy with light snow, up to 5 cm of accumulation. South alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1500 m in the afternoon.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine wind southwest 50 to 80 km/h. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- Any steep opening in the trees should be treated as suspect right now.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried surface hoar remains rider triggerable. This layer is a concern in areas where a significant crust is not found above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects in lee features in exposed terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2