Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 2nd, 2025 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
Flurries are starting to add up and slowly change the snowpack. So far new snow has been relatively untouched by wind, but this could change quickly if the winds shift, or pick up speed. Enjoy the travel, but watch for changes.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Nothing was seen today. Visibility was poor.
Snowpack Summary
Our flurries have started to add up. At Burstall Pass today there was about 10cm from the past day or two. There was also some older snow that made it feel like there is 20-30cm of soft snow on the surface. Keep in mind Burstall Pass is somewhat of a local anomaly for depth and quality of snow, but its encouraging to see snow accumulate none the less. Winds have just touched the new snow and have left soft windslabs in immediate lee areas, but they taper quickly. The deeper, more concerning layers are there, but becoming harder to find. The Dec 7th crust was barely visible today, and the deeper Oct crust was there, but not reactive. Expect that to be different from drainage to drainage. Dig down and reacquaint yourself with the snow if you're heading into uncharted terrain.
Weather Summary
Feels like winter out there! Tomorrow will once again see light winds from the west. Temperatures will settle to -14 overnight and rise to -9 for tomorrow afternoon. Skies will remain cloudy with continued flurries. We can expect a few centimeters to add up by tomorrow afternoon.
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.
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow is gradually adding up. Expect new windslabs in immediate lee areas. These soft slabs are subtle, difficult to detect and easy to underestimate. Caution in unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2025 3:00PM
