Before committing to your line, check for signs of windslab instability like shooting cracks, or fresh avalanches.
Small, reactive wind slabs could be building below ridgetops and in cross-loaded gully features.
Dry, soft snow persists at high elevations on shaded slopes. Moderate to strong southwest wind at treeline and above has the potential to form reactive windslabs in leeward terrain.
Use extra caution below ridgecrests and in cross-loaded features. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.
Recent reports of avalanche activity have been limited to small (size 1) loose snow avalanches in steep, alpine features.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
5-10 cm of new snow may now cover dry snow that remains on shaded (northerly) slopes, and moist snow or thin crusts on solar aspects. Below 1700 m, rain will be wetting the surface, which is a crust in most places.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled.
The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2-5 cm of snow expected. Snow line falling to 1500 m. Treeline low around -3°C. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds.
Saturday
Cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Snow line rises through the day to 1700 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop winds, trending to strong at higher elevations.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. No new snow/rain expected. Freezing level rising to 2500 m. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 20-30 mm of rain around the Fernie area, 5-10 mm elsewhere. Snow line starts the day at 2000m and rises to 2500. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind, trending to extreme at high elevations.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
