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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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

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

7:15 AM Update: New snowfall and shifting wind may create pockets of reactive wind slabs.

Remember that early-season obstacles may be present at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported or observed on Friday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Variable surfaces exist at treeline and above; up to 15 cm of recently settled snow, wind-affected surfaces, and melt-freeze crust. Surface snow is moist from 2000 m and below where a breakable crust may be near the surface. A prominent rain crust is 30 to 60 cm deep. The lower snowpack remains moist in some areas. The total snow depth is higher around Fernie than elsewhere in the region, with 75 to 130 cm at treeline. The snowpack depth rapidly tapers below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -5° C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind northwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5° C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and clouds with no precipitation, alpine wind west 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -8° C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6° C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting wind and new snowfall may create fresh wind slabs on leeward terrain and cross-loaded features. Human-triggered avalanches are possible near ridge crests and roll-overs where these slabs are sitting on a hard layer.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2