Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.
Storm snow and strong southwest winds are creating fresh reactive wind slabs in lees.
Seek out wind sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, small pockets of reverse loaded wind slabs were reported to be reactive to skier traffic at alpine and treeline.
With 10-15 cm of new snow and strong winds overnight, we expect backcountry users will see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle that occurred during the night as they move through the terrain tomorrow.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of snow overlies a variety of surfaces including small pockets of wind slab on exposed south and west slopes, 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, the additional snow load may test this layer through the next few days.
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 neighboring regions are experiencing this season.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 10-15 cm of new snow at upper elevations. Alpine temperatures reach a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 70 km/h. Freezing levels slowly drop from 1800 meters to valley bottom by morning.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest 40 km/h. Freezing levels lower to 1200 meters.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -4 °C. Ridge wind norhtwest 2 km/h gusting 30 km/h. Freezing levels rise to 1300 meters.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -2 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing levels rise to 1500 meters.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
10-15 cm of storm snow and strong southwest winds and new snow are forming fresh reactive wind slabs on north and east slopes. Investigate the bond of new snow to surfaces below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2