Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Moyie, Purcells, South Rockies, St. Mary.
It's early season conditions with a thinner than usual snowpack. Watch for hazards under the snow like rocks and stumps - and avoid freshly wind loaded slopes around ridgeline.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
On Friday a size 1.5 wind slab was explosively triggered near Pincher Creek.
A human triggered size 1 was reported near Invermere on Thursday at treeline on a west facing slope, failing on the facets at the base of the snowpack. In Kananaskis, several natural size 2's also occurred on this layer, potentially triggered by the sun.
Observations are limited, please consider filling out a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Surface conditions are variable. A sun crust can be found on some steep south and west facing slopes. In the alpine and on exposed treeline features a mix of wind scouring and loading can be found from previous southwest winds.
A crust with facets or depth hoar exists at or near the ground, which has produced avalanches in the East Purcells and nearby Kananaskis Country. The snowpack is shallower than average for this time of year with depths at treeline ranging from 20 -50 cm, and tapers rapidly below.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies with no new snow expected, northwest winds 20 to 40 km/h.
Monday
Partly cloudy skies with no new snow expected, west alpine winds 25 to 40 km/h, possibly gusting to 60 km/hr in the alpine. Treeline temperature -9°C.
Tuesday
Mostly clear skies, winds remain strong at ridgeline, around 50 km/hr. No new snow. Treeline temperatures around -6°C
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with no new snow. Westerly winds, 20-30 km/hr.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab may be found in exposed terrain at treeline and above. Slabs may overlie a layer of facets and depth hoar that sits above the ground, resulting in more reactivity and larger avalanches than expected.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2