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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 23rd, 2022–Dec 24th, 2022
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
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Watch for wind loaded features as you move through terrain. Rapid wind slab development is expected where loose snow is available for transport as strong to extreme westerly winds continue.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past few days.

If you are heading into the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Strong westerly winds have redistrubted recent snow into wind slabs at higher elevations. On south facing slopes wind slab could have formed over a sun crust. A layer of surface hoar down around 30cm can be found in sheltered terrain on all aspects up to 2000m, This layer could be a concern where wind slabs form above.

A weak layer consisting of facets and a crust formed in November is now buried around 60cm deep.

In general, the snowpack is quite weak and faceted with average snowpack depths of around 150cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected. Moderate westerly winds. Freezing levels below valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with around 3cm of new snow expected. Strong to extreme southwest winds and a high of -16°C

Sunday

5 cm possible overnight. Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Moderate westerly winds. Freezing levels around 500 m, high temperatures of -5°C.

Monday

Strong southwest winds return. Freezing levels rise, to around 2000 m. High temperatures above 0°C.

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.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

On south facing terrain these wind slabs could sit over a thin sun crust. On other aspects new wind slabs are likely to form on a layer of facets or surface hoar in sheltered terrain. Triggering a wind slab over surface hoar, facets or a crust could result in a larger avalanche.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2