Avalanche Forecast

High

Numerous rider triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects, primarily in the alpine near Fernie on Saturday.

Additionally, a naturally triggered size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was reported in the alpine.

Here's one recent example from the MIN.

Strong solar radiation has formed a surface crust everywhere except north facing terrian at upper elevations.

30-40 cm of recent snow overlies a crust on all but north facing aspects in the alpine.

A persistent weak layer of facets are sitting on top of a second buried crust down 100 to 180 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust below the recent snow is present. However, steep or convex terrain features with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack at treeline and above are the most likely places where it may be possible to trigger this layer with large loads.

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4° C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7° C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 0 to 5 cm snow. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0° C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
• If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.