North Rockies

Watch for wind slabs in steep alpine terrain and be mindful of your exposure to cornices.

Observations are limited at this time of year. Let us know what you are seeing by filling out a MIN report!

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature drops to -7 °C. Light easterly winds. 

SUNDAY: Partially cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature rising to -2 °C. 10-30 km/h winds from the southeast. Freezing level rising to 1400 metres.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy, light precipitation. Alpine temperature rising to -1°C. 20-50 km/h winds from the southeast. Freezing level rising to 1400 metres.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature rising to -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 metres. 10-40 km/h wind from the southeast. 

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. Information is limited at this time of year. Please consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network!

Looking forward, avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool, unsettled weather trend. However, always be ready for the possibility of pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, cornice failures, and wet loose avalanches if the sun is out.

Recent wind effect has left a variety of surfaces, including lingering wind slabs in alpine terrain. In more sheltered valleys, around 20-40 cm wind-affected snow covers crust on all aspects to 2000 m and mountain tops on solar aspects. Another prominent crust layer is found 40-70 cm deep. Below treeline, the snowpack is diminishing quickly. Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.

• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.