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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 25th, 2024–Dec 26th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.

Watch for newly formed, reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control work, on the Alberta side of the region, produced wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 on Monday.

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday,

Looking forward to Wednesday, new snow and wind may form small but reactive wind slabs in lee areas.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5 cm of new snow overlies wind-affected surfaces at the treeline and above. Hard wind slabs have formed in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

In the upper snowpack, a melt-freeze crust and facets exist, particularly in south-facing terrain. Winds likely have scoured recent snow, leaving the crust exposed on the surface in exposed areas.

Snowpack depth varies significantly across the region. Windward slopes may have as little as 50 cm of snow, while leeward slopes could have up to 200 cm

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow accompanied by strong southwest wind may form fresh wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2