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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 19th, 2023–Mar 20th, 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

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Watch for signs of instability as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Areas away from the sun and wind offer the best riding.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity in the latter part of the week has been limited to size 1 wet loose avalanches from steep rocky slopes facing the sun.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Southwest winds at all elevations may have redistributed snow that fell last week. Storm snow tapers to a rain crust below 1700 m. Solar aspects at treeline and below are coved in a melt-freeze crust.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep. It has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region, however, professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming an active problem.

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

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mainly cloudy, no accumulation, winds northeast 10 to 15 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 °C with freezing levels reaching valley bottom.

Monday

Mainly cloudy, no accumulation, winds northeast 15 km/h, treeline temperature around -5 °C with freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, winds variable and light, treeline temperature -5 °C with freezing levels to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Sunny, no accumulation, winds north 15 to 25 km/h, freezing levels reaching the treeline.

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 alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid exposure to sunny slopes, especially in the afternoon.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.

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.