Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 12th, 2025–Dec 13th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Cloudy conditions with dribs and drabs of snow will keep the hazard consistent for the next few days. Use lots of field observations to help collect relevant information on local snowpacks.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing was seen today, however travel was limited.

Snowpack Summary

Today saw some light snow, but not as much as we were hoping for. Recent storm amounts are in the 30-50cm range, with more in the southern part of the forecast area. Windslabs are prominent from 2300m and up. As surface snow distribution shifts from wind loading, the Nov crust is getting deeper on eastern aspects.

Weather Summary

Saturday will be cloudy with warming temperatures. Morning low of -10, afternoon high of -7. Only a few flurries are expected with little accumulation. Ridge winds will be westerly and range from 20-30km/hr.

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.

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.