Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mbender, Avalanche Canada

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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.

Summary

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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2023 4:00PM

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