Use caution at higher elevations where recent snow may have formed reactive storm and wind slabs.
The upper snowpack can weaken rapidly during periods of direct sun exposure.
Up to 30 cm of recent snow has fallen at higher elevations. Slabs may be most reactive in north-facing terrain shaded from periods of sun. Reactivity is expected to decrease through the weekend, with only light flurries in the forecast.
Wet loose avalanche activity will remain likely in steep terrain, while exposed to direct sun and/or daytime warming.
No new avalanche activity has been reported since Monday, when warm temperatures and sun triggered wet loose avalanches.
Varying amounts of snow continue to fall at higher elevations, particularly on the east side of the region. Recent snow sits atop variable melt-freeze crusts or moist snow.
While weak, faceted layers may exist in the mid and lower snowpack (especially in shallow snowpack areas), these layers are not expected to be reactive while the upper snowpack remains strong and supportive. This could change later in the spring during prolonged periods of above-freezing temperatures.
Check out this MIN report from Thursday from the Crowsnest area for more details.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
