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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2024–Dec 5th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

While the snowpack is generally expected to be stable, continually monitor and assess conditions as you travel. Isolated wind slabs may still exist in extreme terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a small wet loose avalanche was observed on a steep, sun-exposed slope.

On Monday, explosive testing in the far southeast of this region produced a few small (size 1.5) wind slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline snow depths are typically 50 to 80 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine. Heavily wind-affected surfaces are being reported in exposed terrain. A new sun crust is reported to be forming on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

A melt-freeze crust exists near the base of the snowpack, but generally appears to be stable and is not currently expected to be a problem for the region.

Check out this new MIN post from the South Rockies field team for more snowpack details.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly clear. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature near 0 °C with a temperature inversion.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature near 0 °C with a temperature inversion.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature near 0 °C with the temperature inversion breaking down through the day.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall up to 10 cm. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • 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.