Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2024–Dec 28th, 2024

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.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Look to sheltered northerly aspects for isolated pockets of soft snow. Watch for windslabs as you move into more open areas at treeline and above. Good ice climbing temps!

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported although some cracking was observed in immediate lee's in commonly wind affected features.

Snowpack Summary

The recent 5-8cm of snow from the trace snowfalls is making things look a bit better but not doing much to change the hazard. Wind slabs can be found in the Alpine with multiple layers of laminated wind slabs in the upper snowpack. The Dec crust is down 30 to 50cm is spotty through the forecast area, but is still a layer of concern. The deeper Nov and Oct crusts are faceting and could be triggered with large loads such as a cornice or a surface wind slab. Overall snowpack depths are well below average, and in many lower elevation areas it has little to no strength. Our biggest concern is triggering the wind slab and having it step down full depth. If you are uncertain of conditions, take the time to dig and have a look at the weak snowpack near the ground.

Weather Summary

The less than desirable weather for skiers continues. Saturday will see partially sunny skies, perhaps some isolated flurries and a day time high of -8. Winds will be 35km/h out of the Southwest.

For more weather click here.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.