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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2024–Dec 23rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Fresh wind slabs are likely to continue to form at higher elevations. Be on the lookout for reactive wind slabs in cross-loaded terrain and around ridge crests.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations have generally been limited in the region. However, this MIN report from Saturday describes touchy wind slab conditions in the Crowsnest Pass area.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5 cm of new snow, accompanied by moderate southwest wind, has fallen since Saturday. Deeper deposits of new snow can be expected in lee terrain.

The new snow has fallen on firm, wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain, and a thin sun crust on south-facing slopes.

The snowpack depth varies greatly, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloud building overnight. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.