Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Expect variable wind affected surfaces at all elevations.
Strong southwest winds continue to strip away snow, creating wind loading on north and east facing slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday wind slabs were human and explosive triggered to size 1 on all aspects.
Several explosive-triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Snow continues to be redistributed by southwest winds, forming fresh wind slabs at higher elevations. Exposed slopes at treeline and above may be stripped back to hard surfaces.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above, sits 50 to 100 cm deep. This crust could be a good sliding surface for avalanche activity. We are monitoring this layer going forward as it may become a persistent problem.
In general, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Increasing cloud with flurries. 5 cm possible. Freezing levels below valley bottom. Moderate to strong southwest winds continue.
Sunday
Cloudy with 3 cm of snow over the day. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m. Alpine high of -6 °C with moderate to strong southwest winds.
Monday
Cloudy with southwest winds easing to moderate. Alpine high of -9 °C. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m. Possible flurries over the day.
Tuesday
Cloudy with light southwest winds. Alpine high of -9 °C. Freezing levels remain below 1000 m. Possible flurries over the day.
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.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous variable winds created wind slabs on all aspects. Now strong southwest winds will redistribute snow back to north and east facing slopes - creating a standard loading pattern. Stay aware of loading on all aspects with the highest concern for fresh slabs on slopes lee to the southwest.
Watch for wind loading mid to low on slopes, and be wary of cross-loaded features.
A melt freeze crust from mid January has shown some reactivity, small wind slabs may step down to this layer resulting in a bigger avalanche.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2