Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2021–Dec 20th, 2021

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

Regions

North Rockies.

Continually assess the wind effect as you move through different aspects . Wind slab could still be found near ridge crests and exposed terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Low of -21 at 1200m. Moderate Northwest winds with no new snow expected.

Monday: Moderate Northwest winds increasing to strong in the afternoon. High of -21 at 1200m. No new snow expected.

Tuesday: In the North of the forecast region snowfall amounts could reach up to 30cm with a high of -16 at 1200m. The South of the forecast region will likely only see 5cm and a high of -8 at 1200m. Winds over the region will start out as strong Northwest and become light West by the end of the day.

Wednesday: Some light flurries with a high of -16 at 1200m. Light East winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday. If you are out in the mountains please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Winds have been variable over the last week. Wind slab could be found on all aspects in exposed terrain.

. 

Check out this post from the Mountain Information Network (MIN) by our North Rockies field team for a great summary of conditions at the Anzac on Friday.

Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 50-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range. The alpine snowpack typically ranges from 150-250 cm. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.