Avalanche Forecast

The unsettled weather begins to clear up over the weekend as a ridge of high pressure sets up over the province.

Friday Night: 5-10 cm new snow. Strong southwest winds at ridgetop. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with convective flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the northwest. Alpine temperatures near -10 and freezing levels 1000 m. 

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light ridgetop wind from the northwest. Alpine temperatures -10. Freezing levels 1300 m. 

Monday: Sunny. Light ridgetop wind from the northwest. Alpine temperatures -5. Freezing levels 1800 m. 

We have not received any reports of avalanche activity since Wednesday when the North Rockies Field team reported and wind slab size 1 from an East aspect at treeline. By Friday wind slabs were reported to be stubborn.. 

15-35 cm of new snow over the past few days has formed stubborn wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features at wind exposed elevations. The new snow sits on a series of widespread melt-freeze crusts on all aspects below 1900 m and southerly aspects to mountain top. On North aspects in the alpine, the new snow sits on dry wintery and wind-affected snow surfaces. Snow appears to be bonding well at these interfaces.

The recent warm weather is expected to have helped old persistent weak layers heal, including a few crusts buried over the last month as well as a facet layer 150 cm deep from the mid-February cold snap.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
• Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.