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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 15th, 2020–Dec 16th, 2020
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: Kananaskis.

Its all about the winds. Keep a close eye on localized winds and wind affect. Any areas that have seen winds will likely be pushing into considerable danger ratings.....

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Light snowfalls will persist over the next few days with 5cm of snow forecast overnight and up to 15cm over the next 72hrs. The big thing at current is winds. SW winds increased on Tuesday and we expect them to continue into Wednesday. With all the recent snow around, conditions will change quickly with new windslabs building. 

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry sluffs were observed but overall there was no new slab avalanches noted by field teams. 

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of recent snow at treeline combined with the recent low density snow is being moved around by winds creating new windslabs in open areas up to 20cm thick. These new windslabs are overlying a variety of snow surfaces from sun crusts, surface hoar and previous windslabs. Evaluate this interface as you travel and feel for that drummy hollow feeling. Deeper down the November crust still persists and should still be in your mind.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds are finally starting to make some fresh windslabs out there. As these build they will become more reactive and have larger consequenecs to skiers and boarders. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

There seems to be lots of variability with this layer. As always, thin areas transitioning to localized wind loaded pockets will be more sensitive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3