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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2023–Mar 27th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Convective snowfalls could bring localized heavy precipitation, especially in higher terrain.

Uncertainty remains about the total accumulation from these enhanced precipitations.

This new snow will likely bond poorly to the underlying surfaces and be reactive to riders.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 slab avalanche (70 cm deep) was accidentally triggered by a snowmobile near York Creek. It likely occurred on Friday on a short but steep northerly slope below treeline.

Old evidence of avalanches are still visible in the region, including wet loose avalanches (size 1 and 2) on steep solar aspects and very large deep releases (up to size 2.5) in the Crowsnest South area. We suspect they occurred last week as a result of strong sun and warmer temperatures.

If you have any observations from this data sparse region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.

The weak layer at the base of the snowpack produced some large avalanches with strong sun and warm temperatures earlier in the week. Activity on this layer has tapered off with cooler temperatures and overnight recovery, but professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it waking up.

Weather Summary

Unsettled weather will continue to bring scattered flurries until a ridge of high pressure invades the region early next week. Enhanced precipitations are expected in higher terrain Sunday night and Monday.

Sunday night

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Local amounts 5-10 cm. Low alpine temperatures of -8 °C. Light northeast ridge wind gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Local amounts up to 5 cm. High alpine temperatures of -7 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Generally sunny periods. High alpine temperatures of -6 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Generally sunny. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 2000 metres.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.