Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2025–Apr 4th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Assess for changing conditions throughout the day

Avalanche hazard will increase with sun exposure

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Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday several small storm and dry loose avalanches were reported in the region. The storm slabs were generally in wind-affected terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow has fallen, this new snow will become moist on all aspects and elevation throughout the day on Friday, the exception will be high north facing terrain. Below this new snow is a crust from late March.

A weak layer of facets from late January can still be found down around 1 meter. This layer remains a concern on high north facing terrain where the late March layer isn't present.

The snowpack is quickly disappearing below treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies with trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.