Avalanche Forecast

Sunday night: Flurries, 5-10 mm tapering by morning. Wind easing to moderate and shifting west. Alpine temperature around 0 C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Monday: Clearing. Moderate westerly wind. Alpine temperature around 0 C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday: Isolated flurries. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -1 C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Wednesday: Flurries, 5-10 mm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around +1 C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Neighboring Kananaskis Country reported a widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 running full path on Sunday.

Evidence of last week's widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 was observed in N-E facing alpine terrain between Fernie and Sparwood.

We are still awaiting observations from this weekend's storm. Reports in the region remain limited. If you go out in the mountains, please share your observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network! 

In the wake of the weekend storm we suspect wind pressed surfaces in the alpine and moist to wet snow treeline and below.

Two crusts are found in the snowpack: the mid-November rain crust buried 20-30 cm and reported up to 2100 m, and a crust from early November found at the bottom of the snowpack up to 2300 m, this crust is being to break down and facet.

Snowpack depths range from 40-150 cm at treeline elevations. Higher elevations may hold a deeper snowpack, but also be more heavily impacted from recent winds. Snowpack depths decrease rapidly below 1900 m.

Early season hazards are very real right now, be wary of thin/shallow snowpacks, rocks, stumps, creeks, and other sharks hidden under fresh snow.

• In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.