Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2013–Dec 11th, 2013

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, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

The Danger ratings are not likely to change much in the near future as no significant precipitation is expected. The snowpack is weak and unconsolidated. Many ice climbs are in great condition.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Cloudy skies with moderate to strong winds are expected for the next couple of days. Only a trace amount of snow is expected in the next 4 days. Temperatures in the Alpine will top out near -12, but will feel much colder with the windchill.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new reported or observed.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amounts of new snow overnight. Total snowpack depth is 55cm at 2250m. Snowpack is almost entirely facets with a little bit of depth hoar at the base. The October crust is still found in sheltered North and East aspects in the Alpine and selected areas at Treeline.

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.