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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2023–Apr 23rd, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Take care around ridgelines and wind-loaded features. Fresh wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers.

Limit your exposure to sun-affected slopes if the sun comes out in your area.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in this region, observations are extremely limited at this point in the season. If you have any observations, let us know what you are seeing through the Mountain Information Network.

On Tuesday, a natural dry loose avalanche cycle was observed, up to size 1.5 from steep alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and at treeline, 20-40 cm of storm snow is rapidly settling with daytime warming. 20-50 cm deep, a thick melt freeze crust is found up to 2200 m. Southwest winds continue to create deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes above this crust.

The mid snowpack is generally settled and strong at treeline and above.

A weak layer of large, sugary crystals persists at the base of the snowpack. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Some cloud with clear periods. Light to moderate westerly wind. Freezing levels remain above 1500 m overnight.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries delivering around 5 cm. Moderate westerly wind, gusting strong. Freezing levels rise to 2200 m, and remain above 1500 m overnight.

Monday

Cloudt with light westerly winds. Isolated flurries. Freezing levels reach 2200 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds. No snowfall expected. Freezing levels rise to 2200m.

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.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
  • Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.

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 Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.