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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2025–Apr 22nd, 2025

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Up to 25 cm of recent snow in localized areas and strong variable wind may have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a few naturally triggered storm slabs up to size 1.5 were reported in the alpine near Fernie.

NOTE: Observations are currently very limited in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of recent snow in localized areas and strong variable wind may have formed wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations.

This snow overlies a robust crust everywhere except northerly aspects at upper elevations, where previous snow surfaces may have remained dry.

The mid/lower snowpack is well settled and strong.

Lower elevations are melting out rapidly.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 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 steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.

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 Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.