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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2024–Dec 10th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Wind slab remains the primary concern in this region.

Head to sheltered terrain for the best riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wind loaded features remained triggerable by riders on Sunday, to size 1. While explosives produced up to size 2 slabs.

We expect reactivity to decrease over the next few days. Observations are limited, please submit to the MIN network if you head into the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Surfaces at higher elevations are heavily wind effected, with wind loading on east facing slopes and west facing slopes likely scoured. These slabs may sit over a crust, hard wind affected surfaces or surface facets (weak crystals).

A melt freeze crust exists near the base of the snowpack, reports suggest it is currently not a problem for the region.

Treeline snow depths are typically 50 to 80 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny with afternoon cloud. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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.