Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
A buried crust associated with faceted snow remains a concern. Carefully assess steep lines for signs of instability.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
This MIN report details a skier-triggered avalanche on the crust/facet layer found throughout the region.
On Wednesday, several explosive-controlled and naturally occurring avalanches sizes 1.5 to 2, were observed in the Lizard Range. They were a variety of storm slabs, persistent slabs and loose wet avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
On the surface, a thin sun crust can be found on south-facing slopes. Surface snow is generally moist below treeline.
Approximately 30 to 60 cm of snow has buried a widespread crust formed in early February. In some areas, weak faceted grains have formed above and/or below the crust.
Generally, the snowpack is deeper and more consolidated in the Lizard Range and Flathead, and shallower and more faceted to the north of Sparwood and east of the continental divide.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A widespread crust is buried by roughly 30 to 60 cm of snow. Weak faceted grains have formed above and below the crust in areas. This is a particular concern in steep terrain where a cohesive slab may exist on the surface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Recent southwest winds may have created reactive wind slabs near ridgetops and other exposed alpine terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5