Natural avalanche activity is expected to continue while temperatures and freezing levels remain elevated. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended
Cornices are becoming weak with warm temperatures and sun. A large cornice fall can be dangerous on its own, and can also trigger deep slabs on slopes below.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets is buried 70 to 120 cm deep. This layer will remain reactive with warm temperatures and high freezing levels.
On Wednesday, numerous natural wet loose avalanches were observed to size 2.
Large natural persistent slab avalanches have run on buried weak layers in recent days. A size 2.5 was observed near Castle on Monday, and the Field Team reported a size 2.5 in the Crowsnest area on Wednesday.
Limited overnight refreeze will keep surfaces moist to wet until freezing levels drop throughout the day.
Where still intact, a melt-freeze crust is found 20 to 40 cm deep, except on high-elevation north and east-facing slopes.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 70 to 120 cm deep. It is most likely to be triggered on steep, rocky, convex slopes on northerly and easterly aspects at treeline and above.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy with scattered showers. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level falling to 2000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 to 7 cm. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 2000 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 4 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
