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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2020–Dec 15th, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Conditions are changing. Expect wind slabs in the alpine with the strong SW winds that are forecast for Tuesday.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday is expected to have a high of -10c with 80km/h SW winds in the alpine. Snow is forecast to start around mid-day on Tuesday and could deliver upwards of 20cm by Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry were observed today in the Black Prince area and started in steep unskiable cliffs.

Snowpack Summary

Winds are expected to increase to 80km/h on Tuesday. Expect wind slabs in the alpine, especially just behind ridge crests and lee features. One concern with this slabbing is that it will sit on top on a 1cm crust that was formed 10 days ago during the warm spell and could release on this crust. Approach the alpine with caution and take the time to dig and look at this bond. The November 5 crust is about 60cm down and is showing faceting around it. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • 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.

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.