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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2023–Mar 3rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

730 am update: Carefully assess exposed slopes for wind slab. New snow overnight means wind slabs will be fresh and likely reactive. Strong winds mean that wind slabs could be found further down slope than expected.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday ski cutting produced small wind slabs. No other significant avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow has fallen in the last week . At higher elevations this sits over extremely wind affected surfaces including large sastrugi. Many alpine areas may not hold new snow and instead be stripped back to hard surfaces.

A melt-freeze crust with facets above, sits 50 to 100 cm deep. This crust could be a good sliding surface for avalanche activity but has shown limited reactivity so far. We are monitoring this layer going forward as it may become a persistent problem.

The mid to lower snowpack is considered well bonded at this point. Currently we are not seeing the same basal weak layers and reactivity that many of the neighboring regions are experiencing this season.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with a few centimeters of new snow expected. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a low of -11°C at 2000 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with a few centimeters of new snow possible. Moderate to strong westerly winds and a high of -8°C at 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Light to moderate westerly winds and a high of -8°C at 2000 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. Moderate southeast winds and a high of -13°C at 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

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.