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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2023–Dec 19th, 2023

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Heightened avalanche conditions exist in wind-loaded terrain features at upper elevations.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, explosives control in the region produced a few size 1 wind slab avalanches.

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

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have created variable surfaces at treeline and above. 30 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above a rain crust. The greatest amounts are likely around Fernie, but any leeward terrain could have deeper deposits due to the recent southwest wind.

The lower snowpack was rain-soaked and has slowly refrozen. Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 75 to 130 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 4 cm accumulation, alpine wind southwest 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 1 to 4 cm accumulation, alpine wind west 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C, freezing level rises to 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, alpine wind west 40 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C, freezing level rises to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.