Avalanche forecast

East Kakwa

Jan 18 – 19, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Fresh pockets of wind slab may exist due to new snow and wind from the northeast. In areas with enough snow to ride, thick to thin snow pack transitions remain a concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Fresh wind slabs may exist due to new snow and wind loading from the northeast. Avalanches are possible in isolated terrain features like gullies and alpine bowls where deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow exist.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new or recent avalanches have been reported, however there are very few field observations coming from this forecast area.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine, up to 15 cm of new snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind-pressed snow and faceted snow. At treeline and below the new snow sits on a widespread crust. South and west-facing alpine slopes are generally scoured.

The snowpack is shallow and faceted with multiple crusts. Pockets of deeper snow may be found near ridges, gully features, and established avalanche paths.

Average snowpack depths at treeline vary between 20 to 80 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Clear periods, ridgetop wind 40-50 km/h from the northeast, treeline temperatures near -20 C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 35-45 km/h from the southeast. Treeline temperatures near -15 C.

Friday

Snow 5-10 cm, ridgetop wind 5-15 km/h from the southwest, treeline temperature -15 C.

Saturday

New snow 5 cm, ridgetop winds light 30-40 km/h from the southwest, treeline temperatures near -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.

Regions covered