Avalanche Forecast

There were a few skier controlled storm slab and dry loose avalanches to size 1 on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a few natural wind slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the Elkford area. These avalanches were likely triggered by northerly winds at the end of the weekend or early in the week.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

New snow falling mid week has accumulated over faceted snow and/or previously wind-affected snow. Previously northerly winds had built wind slabs in leeward terrain at all elevations. At treeline and below there is a weak layer of facets over a crust, down 40 to 80 cm. This layer was reactive to skier triggering primarily on east aspects between 1500 and 2000 m last week.

The mid and lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and facetted snow.

The height of snow at treeline is roughly 80 to 150 cm.

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with snow, 5-10 cm of accumulation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and no new precipitation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -17°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.