Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2025–Dec 20th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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

North Rockies, McBride, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Recent snowfall amounts vary through the region. Recent snow will be most reactive where it has been blown into wind slabs.

Confidence

Low

Recent weather patterns have resulted in a high degree of snowpack variability within the region.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a natural size 2 wind slab was reported in the Pine Pass area. On Thursday in the McGregor ranges, audible large avalanches were heard but not seen, and small slabs were reactive to skier traffic.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that extends up to 2000 m. The surface snow has been heavily impacted by wind in open terrain features.

A layer of surface hoar, facets and/or a crust exists around 100 cm deep. This layer appears to be improving but may still be present in high alpine terrain. In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains or depth hoar may exist at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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.