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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2023–Apr 4th, 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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Carefully assess for changing conditions - unstable, spring weather can deliver highly variable snow amounts or periods of strong sun, which can increase avalanche hazard locally.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been observed.

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

Recent snow and wind have formed isolated wind slabs at higher elevations, over a melt-freeze crust (on all aspects at low elevations, and on sun-affected slopes to mountain top). New snow sits over previously wind-affected surfaces on north-facing slopes at treeline and alpine.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above can be found 50 to 120 cm deep, but it has not produced any recent avalanche activity in the region.

The weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack recently produced large avalanches in the nearby Kananaskis Country. In this forecast region, avalanche activity last occurred on these layers on the 18th of March in terrain south of the Crowsnest Pass where a weak and shallow snowpack exists. Professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it becoming active again.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Cloudy with clear periods. Light east ridgetop winds. Alpine temperatures -5 to -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light east ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light west ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, with clear periods. Moderate west ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.