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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 17th, 2024–Apr 18th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Purcells, South Rockies.

Up to 35 cm of recent snow has fallen in parts of the region and may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust.

Carefully assess for storm slab instabilities before committing to your line.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A widespread low-density storm slab was observed near Golden on Wednesday morning, creating a few slab avalanches up to size 1.5.

The recent storm snow may take a few days to settle and bond to the underlying crust, especially in areas that received 20 cm or more of new snow. Human triggering of the storm slab is expected to remain possible for a few more days.

Snowpack Summary

A recent cold front has caused variable snowfall amounts across the region. Expect anywhere from 15 to 35 cm of storm snow that may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust. The deepest snowfall amounts were near Golden and the northern Crowsnest areas.

Below the recent snow the upper snowpack consists of various melt-freeze layers. The lower snowpack contains old weak layers that are no longer a concern.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 6 cm of snow possible. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of snow possible. 15 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

15 to 35 cm of recent storm snow may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2