Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Continue to be on the lookout for recent wind slab formation due to recent winds and snow accumulation.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported recently.
Snowpack Summary
As much as 20 cm of snow has fallen since the weekend. This new snow has been redistributed by strong southwest winds at higher elevations, creating deep deposits of new snow in lee terrain features.
Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes and previously wind-affected snow in exposed terrain.
The snowpack depth varies greatly as well, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 2000 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 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.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain following new snow and strong southwest wind.
Anywhere where more than 25 cm of recent snow has accumulated, there is a greater potential for a storm slab problem to linger.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2