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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2013–Dec 4th, 2013

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

Kananaskis.

With only 15cm of new snow at treeline through the recent "storm", there has been very little improvement in the ski quality. Any avalanche triggered will likely involve the entire season's snowpack, so choose lines conservatively.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

It appears that we are entering a cold and dry period. Wednesday will be mostly sunny with temperatures near - 21 and NE winds in the light to moderate range. No precipitation is expected for at least a week.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow at Treeline and only 1cm new at valley bottom. Snowpack facetting with cold temperatures. Reverse wind-loading evident and suspect thin wind slab formation on W through SE aspects.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.