Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Watch for developing wind slabs at higher elevations over the day, likely reactive to human triggers.
Minimize your exposure time around cornices.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Wet loose avalanches have occurred over the last 3 days, on steep sun affected slopes as freezing levels rose with strong sunshine.
If you have any observations from this data-sparse region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The region has received 20-25 cm of recent snow since Saturday, which has settled quickly into moist snow at most elevations. This overlies a crust on solar aspects and faceted snow in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists near the surface.
A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.
The weak layer at the base of the snowpack produced some large avalanches, with strong sun and warm temperatures in the neighbouring region of Kananaskis. Professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it waking up in the South Rockies region.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Clear skies to begin, increasing cloud. Freezing level drops to 500 m. Light and variable winds.
Friday
Cloudy with flurries delivering trace amounts of snow. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m, alpine temperatures around around -5 °C. Moderate westerly winds, gusting 60 km/hr.
Saturday
Cloudy, 5 cm of snow. Freezing level rises to 1500 m, alpine temperatures of -5 °C. Moderate westerly wind gusting 50 km/h.
Sunday
Cloudy, isolated flurries possible. Freezing level rises to 1300 m, alpine temperatures of -7 °C. Light southwest winds.
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.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may build with dry snow available for transport and increasing southwest winds. Watch for reactivity on north and east facing slopes.
Slabs will be most reactive where they sit over a crust or surface hoar.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2