Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Incoming warming may cause buried weak layers to become active and large avalanches to be rider-triggerable.
Seek out sheltered terrain without steep slopes above.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported by 4:30 pm on Saturday.
Several large (size 2-2.5) wind slab avalanches were triggered with explosives east of Elkford on Friday.
A few small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches were triggered with explosives on Wednesday and Thursday.
Two large avalanches (size 2 and 3) occurred on Monday in the region's south. They failed on sugary facets down 30 to 50 cm.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 30 cm of recent snowfall continues to be redistributed by southwest wind. There is a layer of sugary facets that are buried 30-50 cm deep and in some places sits on a crust from December. This layer has been reactive in snowpack tests.
The lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and faceted snow that have been unreactive so far. Expect snow depth at treeline to be 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with a trace of snow, southwest alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -2 °C, freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 2250 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow, west alpine wind 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 5 °C, freezing level 3100 m.
Tuesday
Mostly clear skies with no new snow, southwest alpine wind 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature 5 °C, freezing level dropping to 2200 m by the afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Be alert for whumpfing and shooting cracks, they're clear signs this layer is active in your area.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs over facets may take longer than normal to heal. Avoid cross-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5