Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2022–Dec 5th, 2022

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

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

The snowpack is shallow and weak, with lots of hazard at or just below the surface. Be patient and save the knees and ski-bases. Ice climbers should be aware of overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed on Sunday, but the previous few days did see some activity.

A couple of size 2 wind slab avalanches were observed along the spray on Saturday.

One of which was off the repeater slope (lookers right when in the Tryst lakes exit gully) this came across the whole feature and ran into the exit gully that is occasionally used by skiers from Tryst Lake. This started from steep cross loaded terrain above.

Loose dry avalanches have been somewhat common off the steepest alpine faces.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are found on the surface in wind-prone alpine terrain, and below the surface in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. A few slab avalanches (both human and naturally triggered) in steeper terrain have been noted in recent days. The basal layers of the snowpack are typical of the eastern Rockies for this time of year, and consist almost entirely of facets. Unfortunately this condition is not going anywhere fast, and may be with us for the season.

Weather Summary

Monday will bring mainly cloudy skies with light flurries. Between 2 and 5cm are expected. Winds will be light from the west and temperatures will range from -12 to -15. Tuesday will bring more flurries, but accumulations will be minimal.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.