Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2013–Dec 15th, 2013

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

We're due for a change...hopefully this is it. Snow is in the extended forecast, but until it arrives we're stuck with the the ongoing theme of a weak, shallow snowpack. The incoming snow amounts may vary. Keep an eye out for changing conditions.

Confidence

Good - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

The winds are here to stay for the next few days. For our entire forecast period, the ridge top winds are expected to be in the strong to extreme range. Gusts to 105 km/h are expected tomorrow at 3000m. Hold on tight if you're going up high! There is some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of snow. Not much for tomorrow, but by tues evening we may have as much as 14cm. Temps will stay relatively warm as well.

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanches were noted today.

Snowpack Summary

In most areas the new snow from yesterday has been stripped by the wind. There are sheltered pockets that still have some new snow, but for the most part we're back to the old surface snow. Travel is still punchy with brief moments of supportive trailbreaking quickly followed by more tedious, deep trailbreaking. Our faceted snow pack is holding steady (so to speak).

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer is covered by the old slab that survived the cold snap and potentially small, isolated slabs from the recent winds. The predicted trouble spots are thin, steep, leeward slopes at TL and ALP.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3