Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2012 8:36AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Looks like snow is coming in the next while. The amounts are uncertain right now. The hazard will increase as the weather system plays out. Keep an eye out for rapidly changing conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

Intermittent precip tomorrow throughout the day. Amounts are uncertain, up to 10 is possible in the higher elevation. Winds will be moderate to strong and shifting from the S to SW. Temperatures will rise at first, but then cool down as the day goes on.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations

Snowpack Summary

Yesterday's SH appears to be breaking down in specific locations. Windslabs still a concern in the upper snow pack. A variety of crusts near the bottom starting to breakdown in places. The Nov crust remains a significant concern at the moment.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab are present in lee and cross loaded features in the alpine and isolated areas at tree line. NW winds over the past few days resulted in some loading onto S and SE aspects. A few cornice failures have also been observed.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

The Nov rain crust persists about 30cm off the ground throughout the forecast area and is reactive to stability tests in the moderate range. Avalanches in the upper snowpack may step down to this weakness.

Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2012 2:00PM