A temperature inversion will keep alpine temperatures warm into Thursday morning, which could lead to an increase in avalanche likelihood until things cool below freezing.
Recent variable winds have formed wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Avalanches may be more likely during periods of above-freezing temperatures.
On Monday, a few large (size 2.5 to 3) explosive-triggered wind slab avalanches occurred in the Crowsnest area. While none of these avalnches propogated particualrly wide, they all ran very far (full path) on old firm, buried crusts.
Over the weekend, numerous explosive and naturally triggered storm or wind slab avalanches occurred, up to 2.5 on various aspects and elevations.
In exposed alpine and treeline areas, wind-affected surfaces persist. On south-facing slopes, either moist snow or a thin crust is expected, depending on cloud cover and local temperatures.
Up to 50 cm of snow since Christmas continues to settle above a thin melt-freeze crust at elevations around 2000 m and below.
The mid and lower snowpack is characterized by multiple crusts, with moist snow persisting near the base in some areas.
Snow depths at treeline generally range from approximately 100 to 200 cm.
Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C with a chance of above-freezing temperatures in the alpine.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C, with a chance of above-freezing temperatures in the morning.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 8 cm of snow at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
