Wind slab in Crowsnest

Snow conditions were:

• Wind affected

Avalanche conditions

• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Reported to South Rockies field team. This wind slab was triggered from the ridge. Strong southwest winds in the area continue to transport snow into features directly lee of ridges and high points. The previous surface that these wind slabs are forming on is a mix of melt-freeze crust and hard wind-pressed surfaces and in some sheltered areas soft faceted snow. The cold temperatures may have been preventing the bond between these two layers and now with the warmer temperatures the slab has likely become easier to trigger. As we travel through the weekend we will continue to watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and avoid steep terrain features where even a small avalanche could have serious consequences.