Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2012–Dec 28th, 2012

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Winds are forecast to increase over the next 24hrs so expect to see some redistribution of available snow. Still LOTS of variability in snowpack depths right now. Thin weak spots are places to avoid as you may wake up the basal crust. Profile 1226

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Winds are forecast to increase out of the SW but unfortunately, no new snow is in the forecast for a few days. The drought may be soon upon us... Temperatures are becoming more seasonal as the arctic air begins to push out of the forecast region.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches up to size 1.

Snowpack Summary

Very little change in the snowpack over the past few days. The upper snowpack continues to settle and strengthen. Windslabs building at ridgeline's with increased westerly winds above 2500m. Below treeline in in sheltered areas at treeline, surface is growing up to sz 4mm.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.