Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine. Don't commit to steep slopes where snow feels dense or stiff.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 in neighboring regions out of steep terrain features on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow has accumulated over a crust at treeline and alpine elevations. On the east side of the region, there is 20 to 40 cm, and on the west side 10 cm on this crust.
Below this crust, the shallow faceted snowpack is moist and starting to refreeze with cool temperatures. Two crust layers, one in the midpack and another near the base of the snowpack continue to be monitored. Avalanches on these layers are unlikely.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. Alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h northwest switching to west. Treeline temperature -7 °C
Thursday
Cloudy with scattered flurries beginning late afternoon with 5 to 8 cm accumulation into Friday morning. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries 1 to 2 cm accumulation. Wind northwest 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny breaks. Wind southwest 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs that developed over the weekend have become stubborn but may linger in steep, exposed terrain features in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2