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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.

Continue to be on the lookout for recent wind slab formation due to recent winds and snow accumulation.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 20 cm of snow has fallen since the weekend. This new snow has been redistributed by strong southwest winds at higher elevations, creating deep deposits of new snow in lee terrain features.

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

The snowpack depth varies greatly as well, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

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.