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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2025–Dec 9th, 2025

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

Regions

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

Dec 9 UPDATE - The avalanche forecast has been amended this morning, as the region did not receive the snowfall amounts originally predicted. Keep an eye on localized conditions as some snow did fall with strong winds. Wind slab development at upper elevations has increased, and avalanche danger is elevated compared to the past few days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches are possible due to wind loading in the past 12hrs.

Snowpack Summary

With the new snow and wind, wind slab development has increased, especially in the Alpine. Human and natural triggering of these fresh slabs are possible to likely. The midpack and basal layers remains relatively strong for an early season Rockies snowpack with laminated rain crusts below 2400m. These crusts are making travel conditions at lower elevations more tolerable.

Weather Summary

Snow will begin Monday evening bringing in an estimated 15-25cm by Tuesday morning. The kicker here is that 60-100km/hr Westerly winds are forecast during the storm and will taper off some by early afternoon on Tuesday. Temperatures on Tuesday will hover around -7c in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • 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.