Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Travel is challenging below tree line and the alpine is full of wind slabs. Some sheltered areas exist but are far and between.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
Very little change to our snowpack. The alpine is dominated by windslabs of varying densities. Crossloaded gullies are of concern as winds have been a huge factor in recent weather patterns. Depths are around the 75cm mark at 2300m with the Oct crust still apparent near the bottom. Valley bottom depths are near threshold, with the deeper crusts still apparent in some areas.
Weather Summary
Tuesday will bring a mix bag of sun, cloud and flurries with a high temperature of -8c in the alpine. Winds are expected to be moderate from the West.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs are common in alpine areas. Watch for this areas around the "lens" of windslabs where it will be more likely to trigger this weakness. Any failure will likely step down and involve the entire winters snowpack.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
If triggered the surface wind slabs may step down to this layer and involve the entire winters snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5