Avalanche forecast

Kakwa

Jan 26 – 27, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

There is uncertainty with the reactivity of deeply buried weak layers with recent warming. It is best to manage this uncertainty by sticking to lower angle terrain away from any overhead hazard.

Read more in our latest forecaster blog.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong west and northwest winds have redistributed surface snow, creating deep wind slabs in lee terrain, possibly lower in starts zones.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A layer of large and weak facets sits near the base of the snowpack. This layer has most recently been problematic in upper treeline/lower alpine elevations.

    Riders are most likely to trigger an avalanche on this layer in steep, shallow previously undisturbed terrain or by first triggering a layer further up in the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Strong west and northwest winds will continue to affect wind-exposed terrain and build fresh wind slabs in lee areas. On steep solar aspects, and sun crust may exist no the snow surface and at lower elevations, a rain crust exists.

Snowpack depths are shallower than normal, and several buried weak layers have been a concern over the past few weeks. Surface hoar or crust layers in the mid-snowpack may exist in this region.

The most concerning layer in this area is at the base of the snowpack. Large, weak facets buried in November are widespread. This layer is most likely to be problematic in steep, rocky alpine terrain, where shallower wind slab avalanches can scrub down to these basal facets.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the past few days in the region, however observations are limited.

Looking forward, wind slabs will continue to form but concern for step-down and large natural and human-triggered deep persistent slab avalanches is at the forefront of our minds. Check out this video on incremental loading to learn more.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with clear breaks and isolated flurries. Ridge wind northwest 50-80 km/h. Alpine temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Ridge wind northwest 40-80 km/h. Alpine temperature -4 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with flurries. Ridge wind northwest 15-40 km/h. Alpine temperature -8 C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday

Mainly sunny. Ridge wind northeast 45 km/h. Alpine temperature -15 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Regions covered