Akamina

New snow falling Tuesday night combined with wind has increased the likelihood of triggering storm and wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

There are no recent reports of avalanche activity in the past few days, but given the amount of new snow that fell in the south of the region, there was likely natural storm slab and wind slab activity from steep terrain in the alpine and at treeline on Wednesday.

As the wind picks up in the coming days, the likelihood of triggering wind slab avalanches will increase.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Parts of this region received up to 30 cm of new snow Tuesday night. This likely sits on previously formed wind slabs. A melt-freeze crust can be found below 2100m elevation band. It may be on the surface on windward slopes and buried 25 to 40 cm in lee terrain. Wind slabs may be more reactive where they sit on this crust.

The middle of the snowpack is consolidated. Weak faceted grains exist near the base of the snowpack.

The average snowpack depth is 120 cm. Up to 200 cm can be found in wind-loaded areas.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with clear periods. Light to moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -8 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate west and southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 3-5cm. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC. Freezing level rising to 1600m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -4 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.