Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Be cautious as you enter wind-affected terrain, recently formed wind slabs may bond poorly to the slick underlying crust.
Avoid overhead cornices, especially during periods of strong solar radiation.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, the South Rockies Field Team was out in the Crowsness Pass. They observed strong ENE winds and building small but reactive pockets of wind slabs directly lee of ridges, trees, and high points. Check out the full report here.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of low-density new snow has been redistributed by northeast winds into pockets of wind slab in exposed areas. This new snow overlies hard wind-affected surfaces in open areas, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and facetted snow in sheltered areas.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region, however, professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming an active problem.
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 neighbouring regions are experiencing this season.
Weather Summary
Saturday night
Clear periods. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -11 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Light ridge wind from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, up to 5 cm of new snow accumulation at upper elevations. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. Freezing level rises to 2000 meters.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 to 60 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1900 meters.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Friday's northeast wind and 10-15 cm of new snow have formed small but reactive wind slabs most likely found on southwest-facing slopes. Wind slabs may bond poorly to the slick underlying crust.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5