Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
An unstable weather pattern will bring clouds, sun and flurries Monday. Sporadic flurries and wind will continue to promote wind slab formation at upper elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been observed.
If you have any observations from this region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New snow and wind are forming wind slabs at higher elevations, over a melt freeze crust (on all aspects at low elevations, and on sun affected slopes to mountain top). On north facing slopes at treeline and alpine, new snow sits over previously wind affected surfaces.
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 of facets at the base of the snowpack produced large avalanches in the nearby Kananaskis Country recently. In this forecast region, activity last occurred on these layers on the 18th of March in terrain south of the Crowsnest Pass where a weak and shallow snowpack exists. Professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming active again.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 1-4cm. Light southwest wind. Alpine high of -7 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks and scattered flurries, accumulation 1-5cm. Light to moderate northeast wind. Alpine high of -4 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light east wind. Alpine high of -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny breaks. Light southwest wind. Alpine high of -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
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.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow and wind continue to promote wind slab development in exposed lee terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2