Avalanche Forecast

A size 1.5 slab avalanche (70 cm deep) was accidentally triggered by a snowmobile near York Creek. It likely occurred on Friday on a short but steep northerly slope below treeline.

Old evidence of avalanches are still visible in the region, including wet loose avalanches (size 1 and 2) on steep solar aspects and very large deep releases (up to size 2.5) in the Crowsnest South area. We suspect they occurred last week as a result of strong sun and warmer temperatures.

If you have any observations from this data sparse region, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

A dusting of new snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.

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 at the base of the snowpack produced some large avalanches with strong sun and warm temperatures earlier in the week. Activity on this layer has tapered off with cooler temperatures and overnight recovery, but professionals are still tracking it to watch for signs of it waking up.

Continued instability combined with a converging flow will generate upslope flurries. This unsettled weather pattern will continue until a ridge of high pressure invades the region early next week.

Saturday night

Isolated flurries. Local amounts up to 5-10 cm. Low of -10°C in the alpine. Light northeast ridge wind up to 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. High alpine temperatures of -8 °C. Light northeast ridge wind up to 25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Local amounts up to 5 cm. High alpine temperatures of -7 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Generally sunny periods. Lingering flurries. High alpine temperatures of -6 °C. Light northeast ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
• Minimize your exposure time below cornices.