Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Southwest winds have formed slabs that may be reactive to human triggers. Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs are more likely.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday, but observations have been limited.
On Monday, several skier-triggered wind slabs up to size 1 and several explosive-triggered storm slabs up to size 2 were reported on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
On Sunday, a naturally triggered size 3 avalanche was reported on a northeast-facing, large, steep, and convex slope in the alpine. The avalanche was observed from a distance and the type is unknown.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of recent snow and southwest winds formed slabs that may still be reactive to human triggers.
In most areas, the storm snow rests on a melt-freeze crust, except for high-elevation north and east-facing slopes.
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January is down 50 to 100 cm. Rocky slopes with a convex shape on northerly and easterly facing aspects at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy with a chance of light flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Thursday
Cloudy with snowfall 4-8 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Friday
Cloudy with snowfall 5-15 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 40 cm of recent snow and southwest winds formed slabs that may be reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets is buried 40 to 80 cm. Rocky slopes with a convex shape on northerly and easterly facing aspects at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3