Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 1st, 2024–May 3rd, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

New snow is quickly settling. While the hazard has temporarily dropped, expect another immediate spike when it warms up. Loose wet avalanches will become a concern with heat.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new in the last 12-24 hours, however visibility has been poor.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has rapidly settled and has bonded with underlying layers. The new snow is resting on either a soft crust or moist depending on elevation. Storm/settlement slabs are still possible in steep alpine areas.

Weather Summary

Light snow is expected to continue for the next 2 days. Up to 10cm could arrive by Thursday night. Light north winds and temps hovering around -5 until Friday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.