Crowsnest North

Triggering large storm slabs is most likely in wind affected terrain.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

On Thursday, several naturally triggered storm slabs up to size 2 were reported on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.

15 to 35 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will be most reactive in wind-affected terrain.

The recent snow sits on a 3 to 10 cm thick crust on all aspects. The thickness of the crust depends on elevation.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and/or crust is down 30 to 50 cm. Avalanches are unlikely on this layer in areas where a supportive crust exists below the recent snow.

In shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.