Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2024 1:45PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Kananaskis, Avalanche Canada

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A few cms of snow is forecast to fall overnight but not enough to improve the skiing. Watch for the potential of triggering the basal layers from thinner snowpack areas. Also, the shortest day of the year is over and the days are getting longer now!!

Summary

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs were evident in the upper snowpack 10-20cm thick that were cracking under forecasters skis while travelling on Saturday. These windslabs were not widespread but where they were found they were easily failing with a skiers weight. Deeper in the snowpack the Dec 7th interface was found down 50cm and the remnants of the October crust were observed closer to the ground. Where these layers may be triggered is from thinner snowpack features such as approaching ridgelines, or moving across a crossloaded or wind affected feature.

Weather Summary

See image Below

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for surface windslabs in open commonly wind affected areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

If triggered the surface wind slabs may step down to this layer and involve the entire winters snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2024 3:00PM

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