Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
A cold front will create heightened avalanche conditions on steep wind-loaded slopes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Warm sunny weather over the weekend caused small wet loose avalanches in the southern Rockies (size 1 to 1.5).
Looking forward, new snow may form slabs on wind-loaded slopes.
Snowpack Summary
A cold front crossing the region will bring 5 to 15 cm of new snow by Tuesday afternoon and more into the evening. This snow will bury crusts and wet snow that formed over the weekend.
The upper snowpack consists of various melt-freeze layers. The lower snowpack contains old weak layers that are no longer a concern.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Increasing cloud. 45 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. Greatest accumulations on the Alberta side of the Rockies. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow will likely form reactive wind slabs in the alpine and along ridges.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2