Convective snowfalls continue to bring localized precipitation, especially in higher terrain.
This new snow will likely bond poorly to the underlying surfaces and be reactive to riders.
Localized new snow amounts are likely bonding poorly to the underlying surfaces. In sheltered and steep terrain, fast dry loose avalanches could easily initiate. Be careful with sluffing, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Few natural dry loose avalanches (size 1) were released within the light snow from steep alpine terrain over the weekend.
A slab avalanche (size 1.5) was triggered by a snowmobiler near York Creek on Friday on a short but steep northerly slope below treeline.
Old evidence of avalanches are still visible in the region, including wet loose avalanches (size 1 and 2) on steep solar aspects and very large deep releases (up to size 2.5) in the Crowsnest South area. We suspect they occurred last week as a result of strong sun and warmer temperatures last week.
If you have any observations from this data sparse region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Generally, 15-20 cm of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.
The weak layer at the base of the snowpack produced some large avalanches with strong sun and warm temperatures last week. Activity on this layer has tapered off with cooler temperatures and overnight recovery, but professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it waking up.
Unsettled weather will continue to bring scattered flurries Monday night, especially in higher terrain. The region will be under a building ridge of high pressure, with calm and dry conditions for the rest of the week.
Monday night
Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Local amounts up to 5 cm. Low alpine temperatures of -10 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy. High alpine temperatures of -6 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday
Generally sunny. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light northerly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 2000 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and clouds. High alpine temperatures of -3 °C. Light westerly ridge wind gusting 30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
