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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2025–Feb 5th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East.

Switching winds have developed fresh, wind slabs on exposed slopes. Avoid areas where snow feels stiff or slabby.

Check out the Forecaster Blog "Keeping a Conservative Mindset"

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Monday but observations were limited due to cold temperatures. We expect new snow will remain reactive to skier traffic on Wednesday, anywhere switching winds have formed slabs. Carefully manage sluffing in steep terrain.

On Sunday, reports from the area noted significant sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow totals range from 15 to 35 cm, with deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes from wind loading during the storm.

The new snow is bonding poorly to old surfaces, which include melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow at higher elevations.

The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 3 cm. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -28 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday

Mainly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.