Crowsnest North

Fluctuating freezing levels, warm temperatures, extreme wind, and mixed precipitation are affecting the snowpack.

Verify conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are possible.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

On Monday, a few small wind slabs were reported at treeline, triggered by riders.

Rising freezing levels and mixed precipitation will soften surface snow up to roughly 2000 m. Above this, dry snow is wind pressed with small wind slabs forming from new snow being redistributed by strong wind.

A crust layer can be found down 30 to 50 cm on lee features and on the surface in windward terrain.

Below this, the mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated with early season crusts deep in the snowpack.

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 3 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.