Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Numerous naturally triggered size 1 dry loose avalanches were reported on Thursday.

15 to 50 cm of recent low density snow (highest amounts in the Crowsnest) may settle into reactive storm slabs, especially in wind affected terrain. This snow overlies predominantly crusty surfaces, except for northerly aspects at upper elevations.

A widespread, hard crust with facets above is buried 80 to 120 cm down in the South Rockies and up to 200 cm in the Lizard range. Steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places to trigger this layer. However, when a thick surface crust is present, human triggering this layer is unlikely.

Friday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 3 cm snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 to 5 cm snow. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
• Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.