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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 7th, 2024–Dec 8th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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.

New wind slabs will be reactive to human triggering. Avoid steep and unsupported terrain for the next couple of days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

  • No new avalanches were observed or reported today, but observations were very limited.

Snowpack Summary

A warm and windy weather pattern dropped up to 10cm of snow in the past 24hrs. This precipitation was mixed with rain below 2000m. This new snow fell on a variety of previous surfaces including crusts and wind effected snow, which could now serve as sliding layers. Due to the consistent moderate to strong winds, wind slab formation is widespread, especially at upper elevations. Snowpack depths at treeline average 70cm, which is on the lower end of average for this time of year. Generally the snowpack is weak and facetted. The Nov and Oct rain crusts are steadily deteriorating into layers of facets.

Weather Summary

Sunday will be cloudy with light flurries. Forecasts for snowfall amounts vary considerably with anywhere between 2 and 10cm anticipated. Strong NW winds in the morning will settle down a bit in the afternoon. Daytime highs should reach -8C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
  • Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snow and wind are creating wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain. These slabs will be more sensitive where they sit on a buried crust.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This deeper layer will likely wake up with any new load, whether its from wind transport or new snow. Wind slabs may even step down to this layer. Treat the deep layers with respect and don't underestimate it.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5