Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
⚠️Dangerous avalanche conditions⚠️
Stick to low-angle terrain and be mindful of overhead hazard. Human-triggered and remote-triggered avalanches remain likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural, skier, and explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 3.5 have been a daily occurrence since last week. Several of these avalanches have failed on or scrubbed down to the crust/facet layer buried early in February.
Snowpack Summary
Over 100 cm of snow has accumulated over the last week in most areas. This new snow may sit atop various weak layers, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, and a thin melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes
A widespread crust with faceted grains above, formed in early February is buried approximately 100 to 200 cm deep. This layer continues to produce many concerning avalanches across the province.
The remainder of the snowpack below the crust is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 15 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of faceted grains above a melt-freeze crust buried roughly 100 to 200 cm deep is a recipe for large, high-consequence avalanches. This snowpack setup will take some time to strengthen.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Storm Slabs
Snow continues to accumulate into thick storm slabs. These slabs have loaded various weak layers and sliding surfaces in the upper snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5