Avalanche Forecast
South Rockies
Intense winds continue to drive the avalanche danger. Persistent slab problems deeper in the snowpack still can't be written off.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of unstable snowpack.
- Southwest winds will likely form thicker, more sensitive slabs on northeast aspects.
- If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Persistent slab activity has been declining, but potential still exists for large avalanches to be triggered on deeply buried weak layers. Stress on deep weak layers will increase as intense southwest winds continue to load lee areas.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Saturday showed explosives control in the Castle area producing several Size 2-2.5 storm slabs around 40 cm deep. Ski cutting in the same area produced numerous smaller (Size 1) releases also confined to the recent storm snow.
Looking forward, expect ongoing strong winds to promote lee loading as well as slab formation and reactivity even as snowfall tapers off.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of new snow from recent stormy weather has buried both a new layer of feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas as well as sun crust on solar aspects. The new snow will need time to form a reliable bond to this previous surface. Moderate to strong winds have also been encouraging slab formation at higher elevations and continuously loading loose snow into deeper wind slabs in lee areas. Beneath the new snow, Previous southwest winds formed wind slabs that are now buried in lee terrain at higher elevations.
Down about 60-80 cm, weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sun crust from mid-December is found at treeline and below treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, another weak early-season layer of rain crust and sugary facets exists. Slabs may still fail on these layers under the weight of a person, a machine, or large wind slab release. Although the snowpack structure is variable across the region, these persistent slab problems are generally widespread. Snowpack depths are across the region are similarly variable, but typically shallower in the east.
Weather Forecast
Sunday night: Scattered flurries bringing 2-5 cm of new snow. Strong southwest winds.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8.
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures of -7.
Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and a trace to 3 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. Strong southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 1600 metres with alpine high temperatures of -3.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- South Rockies URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-rockies.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Cranking southwest winds have been transporting recent snow into increasingly thick and reactive wind slabs in lee areas. Slabs that form in openings at lower elevations may overlie a layer of touchy surface hoar.