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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2023–Apr 4th, 2023

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

Regions

South Rockies, St. Mary, Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Carefully assess for changing conditions - unstable, spring weather can deliver highly variable snow amounts or periods of strong sun, which can increase avalanche hazard locally.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow overlays variable old surfaces, including a hard crust on solar aspects and lower elevations. Wind slabs persist in exposed lee terrain.

The mid snowpack holds several persistent weak layers including layers of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and old crusts on south-facing slopes. No recent activity has occurred on these layers.

The lower snowpack is made up of a widespread layer of large, weak basal facets and depth hoar in areas. Neighboring Kananaskis Country reports continued avalanche activity on this layer. Avoid thin and rocky areas where this weak layer is more likely to trigger.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Mostly cloudy with clear periods and scattered flurries. 0 to 5 cm of accumulation. Light east ridgetop winds. Alpine temperatures -5 to -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud, with scattered flurries. Light east ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.