Avalanche Forecast
South Rockies
Be aware of the potential for moist or wet snow releases during the heat of the day, or if the sun makes an appearance. And pay attention to overhead hazards, like cornices.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating. Give them a wide berth from above and below.
Avalanche Summary
Sunday several loose wet, natural and skier triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported, as well as storm slabs up to size 1.5 with natural, skier and explosive triggers.
Last week, on Friday both natural and easily skier-triggered wind slab releases up to size 1.5 were reported in the southern part of the region, while several loose dry avalanches were reported in the Crowsnest Pass area. Read recent MIN report here.
And on Thursday in the Elkford area, recent small (size 1) loose/dry avalanches were reported on northerly aspects while loose/wet were observed on solar aspects. In the southeast corner of the region skier-triggered loose/dry avalanches were reported to be running far on a recently buried crust.
Snowpack Summary
Rising freezing levels have caused the recent 10-15 cm of storm snow to become moist up to about 2000 m, with minimal overnight re-freeze. Below 1400 m in some areas, rain has soaked the snow surface.
Multiple crusts exist within the top 100 cm of the snowpack. Some parts of the region may have a surface hoar layer roughly 60 cm deep on north aspects at treeline.
A well settled midpack sits above sugary facets in many parts of the region, especially thin snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Ridge wind moderate to strong, southwest. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 1500 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Precipitation 2-5 mm. Ridge wind moderate, west. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 2000 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-8 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, south. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1600 m.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind moderate, west. Alpine temperature near -2. Freezing level 2000 m.
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Rising freezing levels and daytime warming have been triggers for recent large, loose wet snow releases. Once moving, a loose, wet release may have the potential to trigger a slab on a deeper weak layer.