Crowsnest North

Watch for wind slab formation in exposed alpine terrain with increased winds starting Thursday.

A number of solar-triggered, loose avalanches up to size 1 were reported on Tuesday in steep, south-facing terrain.

If you have any observations from this region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes. While moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar slopes and all aspects below ~2000 m.

A buried melt-freeze crust exists in the mid-snowpack, down 50 to 120 cm from the surface.

A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack persists, despite any recent avalanche activity. Professionals are still closely tracking this layer to watch for signs of it becoming active again.

Wednesday night

Mostly clear. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperatures -5 to -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with cloudy periods. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.