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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 20th, 2023–Dec 21st, 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
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
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: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Now would be a great time to postpone your daily ski trip and visit your local Christmas Market. A snow globe might remind you of what a storm looks like. Warm and dry until at least Saturday; lots of time to hit the Market.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing to report.

Snowpack Summary

Temperatures have been hovering around zero at valley bottom for the last day or so. Treeline temps have been slightly cooler with -3 being the low at 2200m. Snow height at 2200m is hanging in there at 65cm at the weather station, but likely more than that in many areas. Factoring in wind transport, 80-100cm wouldn't be unrealistic in gullies and lee areas. The windslabs should be improving with the warmer temps, and we'd expect them to be less reactive as this balmy december draws to a close. The problematic deeper layers will see no change until we get some significant change in weather.

Weather Summary

This weather is getting ridiculous! As nice as it is to not be freezing off the important bits, it would be nice to get some snow. Take a deep breath or two, here's tomorrow's forecast:

No snow, temperatures between -4 and +1, light SW winds

There. I said it.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs/ old windslabs are present in almost all lee and cross-loaded features. Human triggering is still a concern.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

Be mindful of the weak layers towards the base of the snowpack. Thin rocky areas may propagate out to thicker areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3