Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2024–Dec 30th, 2024

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

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Wind slabs may still be reactive to riders.

Pay attention to isolated wind-affected features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past few days, but observations are limited.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of recent snowfall exists in sheltered areas. Strong to extreme wind has formed firm, wind-affected surfaces at the treeline and above. Wind slabs may have formed in lee and cross-loaded terrain.

The upper snowpack contains a melt-freeze crust and facets layer, particularly in south-facing terrain. Recent scouring wind may have exposed the crust in some areas.

Snowpack depth varies significantly across the region. Windward slopes may have as little as 50 cm of snow, while leeward slopes could have up to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.

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.