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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2023–Mar 11th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Be cautious as you enter wind-affected terrain. Newly formed wind slabs are expected to bond poorly to the slick underlying crust.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, the South Rockies Field Team was out in the Crowsness Pass. They saw small reactive wind slabs forming with new snow and strong northeast winds. Check out the full report here.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of low-density new snow overlies hard wind-affected surfaces in open areas, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and facetted snow in sheltered areas.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region, however, professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming an active problem.

The mid to lower snowpack is considered well-bonded at this point. Currently, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers and reactivity that many of the neighbouring regions are experiencing this season.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -18 °C. Light ridge wind from the northeast. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -8 °C. Ridge wind light from the northeast switching to southwest. Freezing level rises to 500 meters.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind 15 to 45 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with light rain or snow. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 to 75 km/h. Freezing level rises to 2200 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Friday's northeast wind and 10-15 cm of new snow have formed small but reactive wind slabs most likely found on southwest-facing slopes. Wind slabs are bonding poorly to the slick underlying crust.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5