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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2020–Dec 30th, 2020

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.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Keep a good eye on changing depth of snow, as well as the variable wind slabs. Even though stability is improving daily it is still a December snow pack and there are still lots of spots to get into trouble. Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas.  

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Temperatures down in the -23 range overnight and in valley bottoms with a daytime high near -10 at Treeline. Wednesday may bring some light flurries, but accumulations will be minimal.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today. With the clear weather we are still seeing the evidence of the pre Christmas avalanche cycle. 

Snowpack Summary

This surface snow is soft and fluffy in some areas, and wind affected in others, especially as you transition to the Alpine. Extensive wind slabs were formed in the pre-Christmas storm, and it is worth noting that the storm arrived with extreme Northerly winds, which switched to extreme SW winds in the following days. Therefore, the region has buried wind slabs on virtually all aspects. The depth and character of these slabs is highly variable, and it is worth a dig before committing to more aggressive terrain. Forecasters are still tracking the Dec 8th layer (surface hoar, facets, crust) now down 40 to 80cm, but this layer has been inactive in recent days. The November rain crust is also worth keeping an eye on especially in shallow snowpack areas where it might be possible to skier trigger this layer, If or when it slides it will end up bing a large avalanche.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Avoid convexities, steep unsupported terrain and rocky outcroppings.
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.