South Rockies

The possibility remains of triggering a deep layer of sugary facets. A diligent approach to avoiding steep, thin, and rocky slopes is recommended.

High -

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.WEDNESDAY: Dry with a mix of sun and cloud, light southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -6 C. THURSDAY: Light snowfall, roughly 5 cm, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.FRIDAY: Isolated flurries, moderate southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region, but natural avalanches continue to be reported in the Kananaskis region to the north.On Saturday, a size 2 natural deep persistent slab avalanche was observed on a south facing feature around 2100 m (more details here). There is also a great MIN report from the neighboring Lizard Range where a group of sledders share about their near miss on a steep southwest facing feature at ridgecrest.On Friday, we received a great Mountain Information Network observation of natural activity on solar aspects (more details here). A size 2-2.5 natural avalanche was also reported on a north aspect at 2200 m on Friday. This avalanche was likely triggered by a rock fall, and ran on the deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack.

Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on southerly aspects. The snow appears to have remained dry on northerly aspects.Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.