Avalanche Forecast

On Friday, several wet loose avalanches, up to size 1, were observed on alpine features that received direct sun in the afternoon.

Several large (size 2) natural slab avalanches were reported near Fernie on Thursday. The group observed the avalanche's release when the sun hit open alpine slopes.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

The top layer of the snowpack at higher elevations is made up of 20 to 40 cm of dense, wind-affected snow. It tapers to a rain crust below 1400 m. This Top layer of snow may sit on a sun crust on solar slopes and small surface hoar in sheltered, shaded areas. A sun crust is found on the surface of solar slopes at all elevations.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.

Sunday Night

Cloudy with clear breaks, no accumulation, winds east 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures -5 to 0 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny breaks, possible trace accumulation, winds northeast 25 to 30 km/h, freezing levels reaching 1500 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, winds northeast 20 km/h, freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, no accumulation, winds northerly 10 km/h, freezing level reaching 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.