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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2023–Mar 7th, 2023

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

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Continually assess for wind slabs as you gain elevation.

At this time of year it only takes a short period of strong solar to increase hazard. Reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain and overhead hazard during sunny periods.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the region on Sunday.

On Saturday, explosives triggered a size one wind slab avalanche. Pinwheeling was observed with daytime warming.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by northerly winds. This snow sits over a crust on steep solar slopes and previously wind affected surfaces on other aspects. The snow surface will likely become moist when the sun comes out.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above sits 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any avalanches in the region in the past couple of weeks.

The mid to lower snowpack is considered well bonded at this point. Currently, we are not seeing the same basal weak layers and reactivity that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear with cloudy periods. Light southwest winds. Treeline temperature low of -13.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny in the morning with clouds increasing in the afternoon bringing isolated flurries, trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperature high of -10.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Light southeast winds. Treeline temperature high of -12.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy, clearing in the afternoon and isolated furries, trace accumulation. Light southeast winds. Treeline temperature high of -11.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Avoid exposure to steep sun exposed slopes.

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.