Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Continually assess for wind slabs as you move through the terrain. Winds are forecast to increase through the day and may build fresh wind slabs on north and west aspects.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, a natural, size 2 avalanche was reported in steep, rocky terrain on an east aspect. The avalanche was likely triggered by a cornice failure due to solar radiation.
On Saturday, explosives triggered a size one wind slab avalanche. Pinwheeling was observed with daytime warming.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by variable winds. This snow sits over a crust on steep solar slopes and previously wind affected surfaces on other aspects. The snow surface on steep solar slopes is covered by a thin melt freeze crust.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above sits 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any avalanches in the region in the past couple of weeks.
The mid to lower snowpack is considered well bonded at this point. Currently, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers and reactivity that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southeast winds 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, low of -15.
Wednesday
Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Southeast winds 15-20 km/h, gusting 30 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -15.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Southerly winds 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Southeast winds 25-20 km/h. Treeline temperatures, high of -10.
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.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have varied over the past few days meaning wind slabs could be found on all aspects. On sun-exposed slopes, wind slabs may be more reactive as they have formed over a crust.
Watch for wind transport and fresh wind slabs forming as southeast winds increase through the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2