Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive to human-triggering in exposed terrain at higher elevations. Watch for new wind slab formation in the afternoon if the storm arrives earlier than expected.
Watch for pockets of wind slab on all aspects in exposed terrain and around ridgelines due to recent variable winds.
Alpine features are the most likely culprits for lingering wind slabs, but exercise some caution in exposed treeline features if you are finding stiff snow.
The first in a series of storm systems is forecast to reach the region on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mainly clear, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline low around -12 °C.
Sunday: Increasing cloud cover with light snow in the afternoon 2-4 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -3 °C.
Sunday night and Monday: Snowfall 10-20 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, treeline high around -1 °C.
Monday night and Tuesday: Snowfall 10-20 cm, moderate to strong SW wind, freezing levels reaching around 2000 m.
No new avalanches were reported on Friday.
On Thursday, explosives triggered two size 1 wind slabs. The Avalanche Canada field team saw no new avalanches in the Crowsnest area.
On Wednesday, there were some small isolated wind slabs reported from reverse-loaded features on the Alberta side of the region.
10-30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by ongoing wind from various directions over the past week and formed some wind slabs in unusual places. This older storm snow sits over old firm wind-affected snow in exposed areas and hard sun crust on solar aspects.
The middle and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer from early-December found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information.
