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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 18th, 2020–Dec 19th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Kananaskis.

Despite the winds, there are still areas at tree line offering good skiing. With that in mind, limit exposure to large overhead slopes tomorrow. At first glance It looks like we are low on snow, but remember that the depressions on big slopes can hold a surprising amount of snow.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Tomorrow will be very similar to today: cloudy with flurries, 50km/hr west wind & a pleasant -6C. We are supposed to get a few flurries, but the main storm will arrive(hopefully) during the day on Sunday and into Monday. 

Avalanche Summary

A few minor slabs were noted in the northern part of the region. We do expect there were a few natural avalanches today given the high winds, however none were seen.

Snowpack Summary

We managed to get a few more centimeters added to the snowpack yesterday and today. This actually helped the travel and ski quality down low today. Any open area at treeline and above has seen significant wind transport. There was a noticeable windslab that formed during the day today. This will essentially sit on the Dec 9th crust/facet layer left over from the warm spell. So far this layer is not reacting, but being a crust, we can expect faceting above it. In which case it could quickly become more reactive. The Dec 9th is down about 20-40 depending on loading patterns. The Nov5th crust is down about 80cm at treeline and again, it seems to be cooperating with the rest of the snow pack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

There are new windslabs on all Easterly aspects today. Surface slabs are the main concern, but there could be a few buried windslabs in alpine areas.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

So far the new load isn't waking this layer up, but given our uncertainty we are still calling the trigger-ability "reactive" versus stubborn Rocky areas are the most likely places to find it as a problem.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3