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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2023–Feb 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

Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Evaluate slopes as you transition into steep, open terrain features where wind slabs may be lurking.

Check out this MIN report from Crowsnest Pass. It's a great example of where the wind slab problem can be found.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Small (size 1) isolated pockets of wind slabs continue to be triggered by riders in lee terrain features. Wind slabs may linger directly lee of ridges at high elevations.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

2 to 5 cm of new snow coupled with moderate to strong southwest winds will build thin wind slabs in lee features at alpine and treeline elevations. A melt-freeze crust can be found at 2100 m and below at variable depths, on the surface on windward slopes, and buried 15 to 20 cm in lees. Wind slabs of variable age may be more reactive where they sit on this crust.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 120 cm and 200 cm in wind-loaded areas.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mainly cloudy, scattered flurries trace accumulation, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation of 2 to 5 cm, 30 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -3 °C, freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 km/h west wind, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Morning clouds, clearing in the afternoon. Scattered flurries 2 to 3 cm, 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -2 °C, freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

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.