Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2023–Dec 20th, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Generally a weak snowpack. Approach all features with care and take the time to dig and look at the snow layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today

Snowpack Summary

The forecasting crew went to Burstall Pass today and found the height of snow to average around 60cm with wind slabs covering most of the landscape. Halfway up the snowpack, there is a significant ice crust which produced moderate test results. The bottom half of the snowpack is mostly made up of facets and depth hoar. Generally speaking, we have a below than average snowpack which is fairly weak.

Weather Summary

Wednesday will bring mostly a cloudy day with some light flurries and warm temperatures. Freezing level is expected to be at 2000m. Winds are expected to be up to 40km/hr from the West in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.