Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2024–Dec 18th, 2024

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 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

South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

New wind slab formation is expected in exposed terrain on Wednesday.

Where more than 25 cm of new snow accumulates, there is the potential for a more widespread storm slab problem to develop.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 15 cm of snowfall accumulated over the weekend with strong southwest wind. This new snow was likely redistributed into lee features in wind-exposed terrain, potentially creating small wind slabs. This recent storm snow likely overlies a melt-freeze crust on south slopes and wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain. New snowfall and wind on Wednesday are expected to continue to develop wind slabs in exposed terrain.

The snowpack depth varies greatly as well, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Mainly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

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.