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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2022–Dec 4th, 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, Spray - KLakes.

The cold temps have definitely weakened the snowpack. In thinner areas punching through to ground is not uncommon. Winds will increase on Saturday so watch for new windslabs to develop in open areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A sz 2 slide was triggered in the Super slope area on a S aspects in a cross loaded feature. Luckily there was only lost gear and no injuries.

One sz 2 slab was observed on an east aspect at 2400m below a cliff face. The trigger for the slide was likely sluffing from steeper overhead terrain. Numerous loose dry slides were also seen up to sz 1.

Snowpack Summary

5-8cm of new snow over the past few days has done little to change the overall avalanche danger. Winds have been light but there is pockets of windslabs along ridgelines and in crossloaded gully features that were cracking with skier traffic.

The cold temps are only making the weak base weaker. Unfortunately this will likely remain with us for the season....

The new snow is likely to sluff easily in steeper terrain. This is of particular importance to ice climbers who are often in steep gullies.

Weather Summary

Temperatures will warm up on Saturday into the -12C range. As it warms though, winds will also increase into the moderate range out of the NW. No new snow is expected but there looks to be some coming later in the week.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
  • Winter conditions may exist in gullies, alpine bowls, and around ridgelines.

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.

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.