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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 21st, 2024–Dec 22nd, 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.

Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes. Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to rider-triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, wind slabs were reactive to skier-triggering in steep, lee features.

Looking forward to Sunday, wind slabs will continue to be the main concern. Check out our field team's MIN from the Crowsnest Pass on Friday for a deeper dive on conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Overnight snowfall will add to roughly 25 cm of recent snowfall. This was accompanied by strong to extreme southwest winds that created wind slabs in lee areas and scoured surfaces at all elevations.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes and hard, wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain.

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

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 1 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °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.