Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2014 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Warm temps are promoting rapid settlement in the snowpack. This will be good in the long term but at present, not much in the way of good skiing is being found. Moist snow was being found on the surface at lower elevations.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A few dribs and drabs of snow are forecast to fall over the next couple of days. Temps will continue to be warm so we expect the settlement to continue.

Avalanche Summary

A few new loose slides and a few thin slabs pulled out over the past 24hrs with the recent warm temps.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps are promoting rapid settlement in the snowpack. The Nov 24th FC layer and the Nov 6th interface are down 50cm and 80cm. Both are continuing to produce moderate sheers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These windslabs are being encountered in open areas around treeline. Use caution around ridgelines and in gullied terrain.

Avoid cross loaded features.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer has been the main sliding layer over the past week. Expect any new slides to step down to this layer.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2014 2:00PM