Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2024 2:15PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
Not much change happening right now. Whatever your mode of travel is, expect any off trail travel to be challenging. Sheltered areas near the divide may have more recent snow than road side, but it will take some effort to get there.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
Flurries have helped psychologically, but haven't done much in a practical sense. Very little change to our snowpack. The alpine is dominated by windslabs of varying densities. Crossloaded gullies are of concern as winds have been a huge factor in recent weather patterns. Depths are around the 75cm mark at 2300m with the Oct crust still apparent near the bottom. Valley bottom depths are 43cm, with the deeper crusts still apparent in some areas.
Weather Summary
Temperatures will fall ever so slightly tomorrow. It will start around -8 and finish around -10. Southwesterly winds will be mostly light, but expect gusty conditions, with ridge winds being in the 30km/hr range. The flurries will continue, and may add up to a few centimeters by late 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.
- Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs are common in alpine areas. Watch for this areas around the "lens" of windslabs where it will be more likely to trigger this weakness. Any failure will likely step down and involve the entire winters snowpack.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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: Dec 15th, 2024 3:00PM
