Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
New snow and variable moderate winds are likely to build new wind slabs throughout the day. Assess often for signs of instability as you transition into open alpine and treeline terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported.
Suspect new low-density storm snow to be redistributed by variable winds throughout the day building small wind slabs in lee terrain features
Snowpack Summary
Roughly 5 to 10 cm of new snow will further bury variable surfaces of wind-affected snow, thin sun crusts, and soft snow. These upper layers have bonded well to a widespread supportive crust that is down 20 to 40 cm.
Below this crust, the shallow faceted snowpack is moist and starting to refreeze with cool temperatures. Two crust layers, one in the midpack and another near the base of the snowpack continue to be monitored. Avalanches on these layers are unlikely.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with scattered flurries beginning late afternoon with 7 to 12 cm accumulation (highest amounts near Elkford) into Friday morning. Alpine wind variable 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries with 2 to 5 cm accumulation. Alpine wind variable 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy. Alpine wind southwest 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New storm snow coupled with moderate variable winds will build new wind slabs in lee terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2