Watch for new and reactive wind slabs forming as winds strengthen over the day.
Assess conditions as you climb in elevation, and use caution around ridgelines and wind-loaded features.
Recent fresh snow combined with strong west/southwest winds will form reactive wind slabs on north and easterly facing slopes. If triggered, small avalanches may result in a bigger avalanche by 'stepping down' and triggering the weak and faceted crystals buried deeper within the snowpack.
On November 29, two natural storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported. These are suspected to have failed on a buried surface hoar layer that sits 15-30 cm below the surface before 'stepping down' to weak and sugary facets near the base of the snowpack.
With this new snow and strong winds forecast, natural and rider-triggered avalanches activity may continue.
We have very few eyes out there. If you do get out please consider reporting in the MIN,
Upper Snowpack: 15-30 cm of recent snowfall combined with strong southwest wind have formed fresh storm slabs at upper elevations. The new snow sits above harder, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain features and in sheltered areas above more faceted (sugary, weak) snow which may not bond well.
Lower Snowpack: Cold temperatures have weakened and faceted the snowpack. A rain crust sits near the ground.
Total snowpack depths at treeline elevations are 50-80 cm and in the alpine 70-140 cm. Below treeline elevations remain below the threshold for avalanches.
Thursday Night
Skies clear and temperatures drop overnight. Trace accumulations of snow possible near Crowsnest Pass. Winds remain moderate from the West.
Friday
Mainly sunny skies with cloud developing in the afternoon. Scattered snow is possible with trace accumulations expected. Daytime highs of up to -12 expected in the alpine. Winds increase over the day to strong from the southwest.
SaturdaySome cloud and possible scattered flurries expected to clear in the afternoon. Winds remain strong from the southwest, becoming extreme near the Crownest Pass. Wind speeds drop significantly over the evening. -10 alpine high.
SundayClearing skies with light and variable winds that are expected to shift to light easterlies late afternoon, bringing a possibility of light snowfall late in the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
