Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 1st, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for small but reactive wind slabs as you gain elevation.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been observed.
If you have any observations from this region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and wind are forming wind slabs at higher elevations, over a melt freeze crust (on all aspects at low elevations, and on sun affected slopes to mountain top). On north facing slopes at treeline and alpine, new snow sits over previously wind affected surfaces.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.
The weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack produced large avalanches in the nearby Kananaskis Country recently. In this forecast region, activity last occurred on these layers on the 18th of March in terrain south of the Crowsnest Pass where a weak and shallow snowpack exists. Professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming active again.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with flurries. Freezing levels drop to 500 m. Moderate westerly winds, gusting strong.
Sunday
Cloudy, isolated flurries possible, heaviest close to the Alberta border with up to 5 cm. Freezing level rises to 1300 m, alpine temperatures of -7 °C. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. Light easterly winds. Freezing levels rise around 1200 m.
Tuesday
Clearing skies with 1300 m freezing levels. Light easterly winds.
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.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist at treeline and above, from new snow and southwest winds. Watch for reactivity on north and east facing slopes near ridgelines.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 2nd, 2023 4:00PM
