Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Hard to have a headline and not mention the incoming cold. Starting tomorrow it looks like we will have to contend with -30 temperatures. Remember, this is a very unforgiving temperature! If you do go out, bring extra clothing, food/hot drinks and don't go far.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Nothing was reported today, but we expect there was a loose dry cycle going on with maybe a slab here and there.
Snowpack Summary
We've had up to 30-50 in the last 5 days. With that we've had variable winds, both for direction and intensity. That means we've got a number of windslab layers that are likely buried under the most recent storm snow. These will be relatively quick to settle and bond to one another, but expect reactive slabs in immediate lee areas. Beneath these windslabs there is a layer of either facets, or hard windslab. Further down yet, we have the crust that's hanging in there.
Weather Summary
We are expecting another 4cm of snow in the next 24 hours. That's the good news, the bad news is the temperatures are going to plummet and settle around the -35 mark as of tomorrow afternoon. Luckily winds will be light, which will keep the wind chill down.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Approach ridges and lee areas with caution. Past winds have created buried windslabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
This problem will be with us all season. At higher elevations there is more concern that these deep persistent weak layers could be human triggerable.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Dry
With this much storm snow available, gullies and large cliff faces will be shedding snow. In confined areas expect these to run far and fast. When we do get some wind, expect these to light up.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2