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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 11th, 2021–Dec 12th, 2021

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Additional 10-20cm of snow with strong westerly winds forecast for Sunday. Windslabs are building in most open terrain so use caution as you transition into wind affected areas. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning an additional 10-20cm of snow is forecast to fall with moderate westerly winds. Snowfall will begin to taper on Sunday afternoon. Freezing level will be around 1500m with temperatures around -8C during the day.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was noted Saturday but visibility was extremely limited. There was some very isolated cracking within the new windslabs, but nothing moved. 

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm at treeline in the past 24hrs with moderate to strong variable winds. New windslabs 20-30cm thick are building in the upper snowpack in open terrain that are sensitive to a skiers weight. The 1129crust (found up to 2150m) is now down 60cm at treeline. The bond between the overlying snow and the 1129 crust is not great and the main reason its not a concern at this time is the lack of cohesion above this layer. Loose dry avalanches in steeper terrain triggered by skiers will be a concern where the loose snow is overlying the crust.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

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.