Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2022–Dec 23rd, 2022

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

As temperatures creep up, and motivation returns, remember that our snowpack isn't as much of a "pack" as we'd like. Tip toe around and ease into things. The avalanche game is getting serious with our poor excuse of a snowpack. Especially if winds pick up!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Low density snow, facets, sugar snow, depth hoar, loose snow...these are all terms we can use to describe our current snowpack. Its safe to say the cold has turned the majority of our valley bottom and treeline snowpack into a quivering pile of facets. Having said that, there are remnants of windslabs tucked away in windprone treeline and alpine areas, old ski tracks and even some fresh windslabs near exposed ridges to still think about.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Saturday

Its not much of a "warming" trend, but we'll take whatever we can get! Overnight lows on the Spray are expected to be only -29, morning temp of -26 and a daytime high of -21. As the "warm" air arrives, winds will pick up from the west. Expect moderate winds at ridge top. As for snow? Keep wishing, Christmas is just around the corner maybe we'll get some then.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer should be monitored as elevation is gained. Despite being labelled as deep, it can be a ways off the ground. Expect this layer to get worse with the incoming cold.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Increasing winds tonight/tomorrow will build these new slabs in immediate lee areas, and possibly open areas at treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2