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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2023–Dec 23rd, 2023

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

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass.

Continuously assess conditions as you move through terrain. Watch for signs of instability.

New snow amounts vary through the region, there's uncertainty in reactivity of surface hoar.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility has limited observations. We have received reports of debris from large avalanches in run outs at treeline. Likely storm slabs starting in the alpine.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

30 to 70 cm of recent dense storm snow has buried a variety of previously wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations. Below treeline the snowpack will have a new surface crust with moist snow below.

A concerning surface hoar layer is down roughly 40 to 100 cm at treeline and above.

The mid snowpack likely contains multiple frozen crusts, while the lower snowpack is generally faceted. Average snowpack depths at treeline vary significantly.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partially cloudy with no new snow expected, west alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, freezing level falling to valley bottom.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, southwest alpine wind 25 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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.

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.