Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Practice good group management and ride avalanche terrain one at a time.
Avoid slopes with terrain traps that would increase the consequences of even a small avalanche.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the past couple days.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 30 cm of new snow overlies a crust formed in mid March on all aspects except higher elevation north facing terrain. The snow surface will become moist at lower elevations.
Numerous sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack on east through west aspects.
A widespread crust with facets above is buried 80 to 120 cm deep. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the places where it may still be possible to trigger this layer.
Check out this MIN from our field team.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
A mix of clear skies and cloud with 1 to 3 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -11°C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny with trace amounts of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h variable alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Sunday
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may be found in exposed alpine terrain on north aspects.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5