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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2020–Dec 9th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Kananaskis.

15-20cm of snow is expected overnight with strong winds forecast. Watch for conditions changing over the next 24hrs. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

The models all seem to agree that we should get 12-18cm of snow over the next 24hrs. Temperatures will be dropping back to more seasonal temperatures and winds easing at the higher elevations.   

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to sz 2 were observed in the forecast region. 

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps started the day on Tuesday and once again a crust related to rain was developed overnight up to 2300m. As the new snow moves in over the next 24hrs we expect a variety of different snow surfaces to get buried including windslabs, surface hoar, crusts related to last weeks warm temps and facets. Windslabs will be harder to see and we have to see how this new snow bonds to the underlying crust.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.