Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2019–Dec 6th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Strong winds in Alpine areas have created widespread wind slabs. Treeline has good skiing but the snow amount taper quickly with elevation.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will remain seasonal on Friday with day time highs around -10. Winds will continue in the moderate range out of the SW and we should see another 5-10cm by days end on friday.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose dry avalanches up to sz 1.5 on all aspects from steep alpine areas

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow has settled down to about 15cm of snow. Widespread wind affect is visible in the alpine but treeline was still providing good skiing today. The problem is that the snow tapers to only 40 cm at lower elevations below treeline which is pretty rugged. Watch for windslabs up to 25cm thick in alpine areas as well as isolated places at treeline such as gullies and convexities.

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.