Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human-triggering in exposed terrain at higher elevations.
Watch for pockets of wind slab on all aspects in exposed terrain and around ridgelines due to recent variable winds.
Alpine features are the most likely culprits for wind slabs, but exercise some caution in exposed treeline features with stiff snow as well.
One more day under the influence of high pressure before the first in a series of storm systems moves inland on Sunday.
Friday Night: Mainly clear, light NW wind, treeline low around -16 °C.
Saturday: Mainly sunny, light to moderate W wind, treeline high around -6 °C.
Sunday: Mainly cloudy with flurries 2-4 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -4 °C.
Monday: Snowfall, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -1 °C.
On Thursday, explosives triggered two size 1 wind slabs. The Avalanche Canada field team saw no new avalanches in the Crowsnest area.
On Wednesday, there were some small isolated wind slabs reported from reverse loaded features on the Alberta side of the region.
On Tuesday, the field team reported evidence of a natural wind-driven avalanche cycle (likely from Monday), with avalanches in the size 1-2 range in the northern Elk Valley.
10-30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by wind from various directions over the past week and formed some wind slabs in unusual places. This recent snow sits over old firm wind-affected snow in exposed areas and hard sun crust on solar aspects.
The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early-December found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information.
