Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

A ridge of high pressure will remain imbedded over the region for the forecast period. Winds will be mostly light and easterly with alpine temperatures remaining well below freezing.

Over the weekend widespread natural activity to size 3 was reported on sun-exposed aspects in the alpine. Although a decrease in avalanche activity is expected with forecast cooling, triggering of deeper weaknesses may still be a possibility with a large trigger.

Storm snow from the last few weeks seems to be fairly well settled. In the mid snowpack sits the mid-December surface hoar layer. Lately this layer has been less of a concern. At the base of the snowpack basal facets and depth hoar seem fairly widespread in the region. The big story for the weekend was warming at higher elevations due to an inversion and solar heating. Failing cornices, loose wet snow avalanches on sun-exposed slopes and isolated deep releases on basal facets at higher elevations were the big things to watch for. With forecast cooling for Monday expect a crust recovery on most slopes that were affected by the sun as well as decreased probability of avalanche activity. In Elk Valley North and the Crowsnest, the average snowpack depth at treeline is 150 cms. In Elk Valley S and the Flathead the snowpack depth is closer to 2 m. If you are traveling in the mountains it's a good time to take stock of layers that are developing on the current surface (crusts/surface hoar) that may become an issue when it finally snows.