Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2017–Dec 17th, 2017

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

We're almost through the drought. We'll see some flurries hopefully arrive over the next few days which will perk up the travel conditions and make it atleast look winter again.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

There's light at the end of the tunnel! Some forecasts are saying up to 8cm of snow tomorrow. Winds will be out of the SW, and probably reach speeds of 45km/hr at treeline. Temperatures will range from -15 tonight, to -11 tomorrow afternoon. There is some more snow expected down the road, but we'll have to be patient. It arrives in small increments with a grand total of 20cm by wed.

Avalanche Summary

Like the rest of western Canada, we haven't seen an avalanche for over a week now.

Snowpack Summary

Our snowpack is looking a little worse for wear these days. The winds, temperatures and lack of snow have left a variety of surface layers- none of which are conducive to good skiing. Valley bottom has decomposing surface hoar that is covered with a dusting of snow from the past 24-36 hours. Treeline is a widespread wind slab surface covering the crusts from late november. The alpine is also severely wind affected and on any windward aspect its blown to gravel or the old crusts. The good news is that most trouble layers have temporarily glued themselves together and aren't posing a huge avalanche risk.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer is widespread in terms of its location in the terrain. Its condition seems to vary from an intact crust to a facetted mish mash of weak grains. Thin areas that have a hard slab over top should be treated with caution.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3