Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 14th, 2023–Mar 15th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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 have created wind slabs on north and east slopes. Use caution transitioning into wind affected terrain, wind slabs remain reactive to human triggering.

Keep in mind that brief periods of strong solar input could increase the reactivity of wind slabs.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, small wind slabs on north and east aspects were reactive to ski cutting.

Backcountry users should expect to see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle that occurred during the storm 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

15-20 cm of snow overlies a variety of surfaces including 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, professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming an active problem.

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

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy. Alpine temperatures reach a low of -8 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. Freezing levels lower to valley bottom.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Ridge wind norhtwest 20 km/h gusting 40 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1500 meters.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing levels rise to 1500 meters.

Friday

Mainly sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing levels rise to 1700 meters.

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.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.