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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2024–Dec 2nd, 2024

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

Regions

North Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Tumbler.

Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain. Heavy snowfall and wind have formed reactive slabs at all elevations.

Natural avalanches may occur.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Saturdays reports included evidence of a natural avalanche cycle to size 2 near Hasler. Larger cycles are likely to have occurred in areas with more significant snowfall.

Looking forward, rising temperatures and strong winds are likely to form sensitive slabs in wind affected terrain. Natural avalanches may occur.

Observations remain very limited this early in the season. If you head into the backcountry, please post to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Storm totals from the week vary from 60-150 cm across the region. This snow has fallen over another 70 cm of settling snow. Westerly winds will redistribute this snow into deep deposits at higher elevations.

A crust from early November may be found in the mid to lower snowpack, where it may be combined with surface hoar and facets. The distribution and reactivity of this layer are not well understood. It is uncertain whether avalanches are failing on this layer.

Below the snowpack consists of melt freeze crusts, facets, and depth hoar in some areas.

At treeline, snowpack depth ranges from 100 to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow possible. 40-70 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow. Localised areas in the far north of this region may see higher amounts. 70+ km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures reach 0 °C with an above freezing layer moving in.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Problems

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.

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.