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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2021–Dec 24th, 2021

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
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 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

Kananaskis.

Good news for those of you getting skis as a Christmas gift. A fair bit of new snow will refresh the skiing once it has a chance to settle. While we wait for the snow to settle, stick to conservative ski terrain and avoid the big slopes.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will see the cold air arrive with temperatures dropping to -18 by mid afternoon. The snow will continue to fall at the front pushed through, but most of the accumulation will be tonight. Winds will be tricky. They are forecast to be variable in speed and direction as the air masses duke it out. In general expect moderate to strong winds at ridge top and from the south.

Avalanche Summary

nothing new today, but visibility was not good. We expect a loose dry cycle is ongoing, with a natural slab cycle knocking on the door.

Snowpack Summary

Whoever asked Santa for more snow on the Spray should know that he was listening, and pulled through. Today saw 20-30cm by mid afternoon, and likely much more as the storm plays through. So far there is some wind effect starting at 2200m and getting more pronounced the higher you go. Aside from the new reactive surface windslabs, we are also seeing a distinct change in the Dec 1 crust character. It is breaking down, and in doing so, its forming a layer of facets immediately above the crust. This facet layer is down 60-80cm, widespread up to 2300m and so far failing in the hard range with tests. In other words, it's down there brewing and we can expect the scales to quickly tip as the new snow load increases. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.