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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 9th, 2021–Dec 10th, 2021
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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: Kananaskis.

Watch for variable winds that don't match the forecast, today had an unexpected wind pattern that loaded slopes from the north.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will be cloudy with flurries, but no significant accumulation. Winds will remain westerly, but pick up early afternoon with 60km/hr winds expected at summit elevations. Temperatures will be between -16 and -11.

Some forecasts are suggesting another storm on Saturday. We will see if this happens, but be aware that hazard levels are based on this expected snow.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Thankfully the crust has been buried with about 10cm at valley bottom and up to 30cm at treeline. It also felt like the crust was a bit softer, or facetted out. Our ski edges could cut into it which helped the ski quality. At about 2150-2200m the crust predictably disappeared and the snowpack felt quite good in sheltered areas. Once in more exposed treeline areas, the windslabs appeared. At the moment immediate lee areas at treeline feel the spookiest. Overall the alpine looks very wind affected, especially on north aspects, but there are some sheltered areas up against the major faces where the wind affect is less.

Terrain and Travel

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs are forming on all aspects due to variable winds. These will be sensitive to human triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This will likely be triggered from a thin spot within the snowpack. Watch the transitional areas from thin to thick.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5