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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 21st, 2019–Dec 22nd, 2019
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Kananaskis.

A natural avalanche cycle is ongoing. This is a good time to finish your christmas shopping and avoid all avalanche terrain. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

An additional 10-15cm of snow is forecast before the storm begins to weaken overnight. Temperatures will begin to cool back into the -10C range and winds will trend back to light from the SW. We estimate that there will be close to 1m of new snow by the end of this storm with valley floor weather stations reading 90mm of water equivalent by 2pm on Saturday. 

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is ongoing with avalanches up to sz 3 suspected. Visibility is limited. 

Snowpack Summary

80cm of heavy snow has fallen in the past 24hrs with moderate to strong SW winds. This snow is overloading the weak basal layers and causing a widespread natural avalanche cycle on all aspects and at all elevations. We suspect that the November crust is the bed surface for many of these avalanches. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.