Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2023 1:30PM

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.

mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Temperatures will cool tomorrow and we may see 5-8cm of new snow fall over the next 24hrs. Hopefully Santa surprises us with a big storm before Christmas!

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind affect exists in alpine areas from strong westerly winds throughout the past week. Expect to encounter gravel on the windward side and hard windslabs on the lee. Be cautious around thin areas wherein you may be able to cause a failure in the weak basal facet and depth hoar layers. Up to around 2300m expect to encounter the Dec 5th rain crust down 20-40cm which will be a layer worth following through this winter. The freezing level on Friday was around 2100m with moist snow below this elevation. These warmer temperatures will help us long term in the winter but in the short term, its pretty grim looking out there.

Weather Summary

Freezing levels and temperatures will drop overnight with up to 8cm of snow forecast to call. Expect overnight lows around -15C and winds light out of the NW moving into Saturday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs/ old windslabs are present in almost all lee and cross-loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Be mindful of the weak layers towards the base of the snowpack. Thin rocky areas may propagate out to thicker areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2023 4:00PM