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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2023–Dec 4th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

The avalanche hazard will likely hold steady for one more day, before rising significantly Monday evening and into Tuesday with the incoming storm.

Early Season Conditions persist.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow now overlies the December 2nd interface, which consists of surface hoar up to 10mm, a thin sun crust on south and west aspects, and facets. Moderate to strong winds continue to redistribute snow at tree line and above. The snowpack is generally between 25-45cm in depth with a faceted base.

Weather Summary

An unsettled westerly flow across the region will lead to cloudy conditions and scattered flurries through Monday. Trace accumulations of new snow and strong westerly winds are anticipated.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.