Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
10 to 20 cm of new snow and west wind may have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of new snow overies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.
Westerly wind may have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
A widespread, hard crust with facets above is buried 80 to 120 cm down in the South Rockies and up to 200 cm in the Lizard range. It continues to be the primary layer of concern for human triggering of very large persistent slab avalanches.
Weather Summary
Thursday night
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
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.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
10 to 20 cm of new snow and westerly wind may have formed fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A crust with weak facets above is down 80 to 200 cm. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Loose Wet
Small naturally triggered wet loose avalanches will begin when the new snow sees the sun for the first time.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5