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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

7:15 AM Update: New snowfall and shifting wind may create pockets of reactive wind slabs.

Remember that early-season obstacles may be present at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported or observed on Friday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Variable surfaces exist at treeline and above; up to 15 cm of recently settled snow, wind-affected surfaces, and melt-freeze crust. Surface snow is moist from 2000 m and below where a breakable crust may be near the surface. A prominent rain crust is 30 to 60 cm deep. The lower snowpack remains moist in some areas. The total snow depth is higher around Fernie than elsewhere in the region, with 75 to 130 cm at treeline. The snowpack depth rapidly tapers below treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -5° C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind northwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -5° C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and clouds with no precipitation, alpine wind west 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -8° C.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6° C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.