Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Fresh snow may remain sensitive to triggering; don't let good riding lure you into a sense of complacency.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There are only a few eyes out in the mountains, but I haven't received recent reports of avalanches. If you do get out riding please consider reporting in the MIN,
Snowpack Summary
Upper Snowpack: Recent new snow was redistributed by the wind forming wind slabs. Below this is a layer of wind hardened or settled snow.
Lower Snowpack: cold temperatures have weakened and faceted the snowpack. A basal rain crust sits near the ground.
Total snowpack depths at treeline elevations are 40-70 cm and in the alpine 60-120 cm. Below treeline elevations remain below the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Monday NightDry, -20 C style cold, light northeast wind
TuesdayDry and cold with highs in the minus teens. Increasing cloud and wind throughout the day as a moderate southwest flow becomes established.
WednesdayCloudy, southwest moderate to strong wind, warming in the afternoon to near -10 C, and a trace to maybe 10 cm of snow.
ThursdaySimilar to Wednesday in terms of temperature and precipitation, Slightly cooler and only moderate southwest wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- 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 terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found in leeward terrain just below ridgecrests. However, recent northerly winds have created a slightly unusual pattern.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2