Crowsnest North

Triggering large storm slabs will be most likely in wind affected terrain.

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Moderate

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

A skier triggered size 1 storm slab was reported on Wednesday.

Avalanche activity is expected to increase with the new snow and wind.

15 to 35 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will be most reactive in wind-affected terrain.

The recent snow sits on a 3 to 10 cm thick crust on all aspects. The thickness of the crust depends on elevation.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and/or crust is down 30 to 50 cm. Avalanches are unlikely on this layer in areas where a supportive crust exists below the recent snow.

In shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.