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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 24th, 2024–Dec 26th, 2024
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
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: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Only a few cm's of snow is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. The avalanche hazard is expected to remain the same. Look to sheltered northerly aspects for isolated pockets of soft snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

We do not expect the snowpack summary to change in the next couple of days given that only 2-8cm is possibly forecast with moderate winds and below freezing temperatures. The recent snowfall is settling rapidly on all but the most sheltered northerly aspects. Wind slabs dominate the Alpine landscape with multiple layers of laminated wind slabs in the upper snowpack. The Dec crust down 30 to 50cm is spotty through the forecast area, but is a layer of concern. The deeper Nov and Oct crusts are faceting and could be triggered with large loads such as a cornice or a surface wind slab. Overall snowpack depths are well below average, and in many lower elevation areas it has little to no strength.

The next avalanche bulletin will be issued in the late afternoon of December 26. If the avalanche hazard is expected to increase before this time, an updated bulletin will be issued.

Weather Summary

Wednesday: Accumulation of snow will be minimal but maybe a few centimeters to whiten things up(3cm). Expect a high temperature of -10c in the alpine with ridgetops winds from the SW in the 30-40km/hr.

Thursday: Maybe another 4cm of snow could come for Boxing day with a high temperature of -6c. Winds are expected to be in the 25-25km/hr at ridgetop.

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.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for new surface windslabs developing in open areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

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