Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 4, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Pockets of reactive wind slab may exist on northeasterly aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Stiff wind slabs could be reactive to rider triggers at treeline and in the alpine on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    There are several crusts now buried within the snowpack. Use extra caution in thin snowpack areas where it may be possible to trigger a deeper layer. Triggering a wind slab may also have the potential to step-down to a deeper layer.

Confidence

Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures -10. Ridgetop winds light from the west.Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures -4 and freezing levels 1200 m. Ridgetop winds light with strong gust from the northwestWednesday: Mostly sunny. Alpine temperatures plus 1 degree and freezing levels near 1500 m. Ridgetop winds light-moderate from the northwest. Expect strong alpine temperature inversions starting Wednesday. For more detail please check the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported from this region. There is potential for triggering wind slabs on leeward slopes and dry loose avalanches from steeper terrain features. Smaller avalanches may step down and trigger larger avalanches on buried weak layers deeper in the snowpack. Please submit your observations this weekend to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack remains highly variable with very little information regarding snowpack structure within the region. Average snowpack depths at upper elevations range from 60-110 cm with scoured snow surfaces on southwesterly slopes and deeper pockets of wind slab on northeasterly slopes. Below the surface exists a series of crusts that were buried near the end of November approximately 40 cm and 70 cm down. Deeper in the snowpack a third crust from the end of October exists as a "facet/crust" combo and has been identified as a potential sliding interface where snowpack testing North of the region (Kananaskis Country) is proving hard but sudden collapse results.

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