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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2023–Apr 22nd, 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.

Expect to find fresh and reactive wind slabs forming over the day. Avoid areas with visibly wind-affected snow, or where active wind transport is occurring.

Sheltered features likely still hold dry, loose snow with great riding conditions. Limit your exposure to sun-affected slopes if the sun comes out in your area.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the region on Thursday.

On Tuesday, a widespread natural dry loose avalanche cycle was observed, up to size 1.5. Avalanches primarily initiated in steep alpine terrain.

If you have any observations from this region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

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.

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

Friday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, and trace accumulations of snow. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing levels drop to 500 m overnight.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, and trace accumulations of snow. Light to moderate westerly wind. Freezing levels rise from valley bottom to 2000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-5 cm possible. Moderate westerly wind. Freezing levels rise to 2100 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with light westerly winds. Flurries possible. Freezing levels remain around 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

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

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 Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.