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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 4th, 2023–Apr 5th, 2023

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, St. Mary, Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Unsettled, spring weather can deliver localized periods of intense sun or heavy snowfall, which can temporarily increase the avalanche hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported in the region.

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

Recent snow overlays variable old surfaces, including a hard crust on solar aspects and lower elevations. Wind slabs may persist in exposed, alpine, lee terrain.

The mid snowpack holds several persistent weak layers including layers of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and old crusts on south-facing slopes. No recent activity has occurred on these layers.

The lower snowpack is made up of a widespread layer of large, weak basal facets and depth hoar in areas. Neighboring Kananaskis Country reports continued avalanche activity on this layer. Avoid thin and rocky areas where this weak layer is more likely to trigger.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Mostly clear, with cloudy periods and scattered flurries. Light west ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures -2 to -7 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.