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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 20th, 2019–Dec 21st, 2019
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

We are in the middle of the first real storm of the year. This will stress the snowpack and likely cause a widespread avalanche cycle by Friday night. Avoid avalanche terrain tomorrow.

Confidence

No Rating -

Weather Forecast

For tonight and tomorrow, temperatures will be around -5. High alpine winds will be 60-100km/hr tonight and tomorrow. Gusts are expected up to 120km/hr. Ridgetop winds will less, but still plenty strong to transport snow. The snow is expected to keep going tonight and tomorrow. Forecasts vary, but 40cm seems to be the average.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous ski cuts easily produced avalanches. The biggest was a sz2. This was the maximum size the slope would allow. In more than one instance, the cracks traveled for 80m. These mostly involved the new storm snow, but in one case, there was a failure mid pack on an old windslab interface. 

There was almost certainly natural activity, but the visibility kept us from seeing it.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm as of 2pm today on the Spray Road. This new snow is relatively warm and is building storm slabs at all elevations. These were touchy today with reactive ski cuts on steep rolls. Lots of cracking in all areas and elevations. Some were shooting 30-40 feet. Treeline and alpine also has a widespread windslab that is equally reactive. The mid pack and bottom layers are basically weak facets that aren't bonding quickly to the new snow. The overall snowdepth varies between 80-130 at treeline.

Terrain and Travel

  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.