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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2023–Mar 14th, 2023

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

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Storm snow and strong southwest winds are creating fresh reactive wind slabs in lees.

Seek out wind sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, small pockets of reverse loaded wind slabs were reported to be reactive to skier traffic at alpine and treeline.

With 10-15 cm of new snow and strong winds overnight, we expect backcountry users will see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle that occurred during the night as they move through the terrain tomorrow.

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

10-15 cm of snow overlies a variety of surfaces including small pockets of wind slab on exposed south and west slopes, hard wind-affected surfaces in open areas, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and facetted snow in sheltered areas.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region, however, the additional snow load may test this layer through the next few days.

The mid to lower snowpack is considered well-bonded at this point. Currently, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers and reactivity that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 10-15 cm of new snow at upper elevations. Alpine temperatures reach a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 70 km/h. Freezing levels slowly drop from 1800 meters to valley bottom by morning.

Tuesday

Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest 40 km/h. Freezing levels lower to 1200 meters.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind norhtwest 2 km/h gusting 30 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1300 meters.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing levels rise to 1500 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

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.