Avalanche Forecast

Several large natural slab avalanches were reported near Fernie on Thursday. The group observed the avalanches release when the sun hit open alpine slopes.

On Tuesday, a widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle to size 2.5 was observed throughout the region. Many of these avalanches are suspected to have released during the storm on Monday night.

Explosive control produced numerous storm slab avalanches to size 1.5-2.5.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

20-40 cm of dense, wind-affected storm snow falling earlier in the week in the alpine tapers to a rain crust below 1400 m. This storm snow may sit on a sun crust on solar slopes and small surface hoar in sheltered, shaded areas.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Wind light southwest.

Friday

Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Wind light south. Freezing level rising to 1500 meters.

Saturday

Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Wind light south. Freezing level rising to 1700 meters.

Sunday

Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Wind light southwest. Freezing level rising to 1600meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.