Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 26th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
TRettie,
Avalanche Canada
Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you move through the terrain. Wind direction could vary throughout the region on Monday. The Kakwa area will likely see the most reactive wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: light east winds except in Kakwa where winds will be moderate from the west. No new snow expected and a low of -32 at 1300m.
Monday: light flurries with light winds except in Kakwa where winds will be moderate to strong from the west. High of -25 at 1300m.
Tuesday: Some flurries ending around noon with light to moderate north winds. high of -23 at 1300m.
Wednesday: light to moderate south winds with flurries throughout the day. High of -16 at 1300m.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday our field team observed some natural avalanche activity up to size 1.5 in steep or extreme terrain in the treeline while in the southern part of the forecast region.
Explosives on Thursday produced wind slabs up too size 1.5 in treeline and alpine start zones with limited propagation.
Snowpack Summary
Easterly winds will have formed wind slab on west aspects and scoured the east. Cross loading could exist on other aspects. As the winds shift to the west in the Kakwa area new wind slabs could form on east facing slopes.
Â
A surface hoar layer up to size 4 was recently buried, it is not yet a problem.
Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range and the deepest snowpack around Renshaw.
Terrain and Travel
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Easterly winds have likely formed wind slab on west aspects and cross loaded others. Sensitivity to triggering will be greatest near ridge crests.
In the Kakwa area wind slab could be found on all aspects with the most reactive slabs on east aspects as the winds change to westerly.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 27th, 2021 4:00PM
