Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Watch for small wind slabs at high elevations where dry snow can still be found on shaded slopes.
Minimize your exposure time around cornices.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been observed.
If you have any observations from this region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Where dry snow still exists at higher elevations and on shaded slopes, westerly winds have redistributed it into wind slabs on east facing slopes at treeline and above. Light snowfall expected on Saturday will do the same.
On sun affected slopes and all elevations below 2000 m, moist snow or a melt freeze crust sits on the surface. A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.
The weak layer at the base of the snowpack produced large avalanches recently, in the nearby Kananaskis Country. In this forecast region, terrain south of the Crowsnest Pass has a weaker and shallower snowpack where this weak layer is more concerning. Professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming active again.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with flurries delivering trace amounts of snow. Freezing levels remain above 1000 m overnight. Moderate to strong southwest winds.
Saturday
Cloudy, up to 5 cm of snow. Freezing level rises to 1500 m, alpine temperatures of -5 °C. Moderate westerly wind, gusting 50 km/h.
Sunday
Cloudy, isolated flurries possible. Freezing level rises to 1300 m, alpine temperatures of -7 °C. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. Light and variable winds. Freezing levels rise towards 1300 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.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may exist where dry snow is available for transport by southwest winds. Watch for reactivity on north and east facing slopes particularly around ridgelines.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2