Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
Great skiing right now, but it's still worth taking the time to evaluate steeper terrain in the Alpine. On-going wind loading in the Alpine could lead to an increased likelihood of human-triggering.
Confidence
High -
Weather Forecast
Tuesday should be mainly sunny with a cold start that will warm to -12. Winds will be moderate from the west. Wednesday will bring light flurries with heavier snow beginning early Thursday.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today, but there is a report on the MIN of a skier triggered size 2 wind slab in the Hero's Knob area on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
With the very cold temperatures last night the surface snow is staying low density and there has been minimal recent wind effect up to at least 2500m. Moderate wind transport today at mountaintop is scouring some high alpine slopes while creating fresh wind slabs in the immediate lee of ridge features. However, so far these wind slabs do not extend far down-slope. The mid-pack and basal layers remain strong with a number of frozen crusts. Forecasters are monitoring the Dec 1st crust (down 70cm on average) as faceting has been observed around the crust, but so far this layer has been inactive.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
These wind slabs are now buried, are specific to lee and cross loaded features, and are generally being found above 2300m.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5