Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2016 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

5-10cm of snow is expected to fall in the next 24hrs. Avalanche danger will remain at considerable in the alpine and at treeline. Human triggered avalanches are still likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Weather Forecast

About 5-10cm of is forecast to fall over the next 24hrs. Winds are expected to mellow after the arrival of the front. Temps will be in the -15cm range.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday but field teams were in the ghost and Kananaskis Valley areas.

Snowpack Summary

A few cms of snow fell throughout the day on Thursday but not enough to change the current danger level or improve the lower elevations. In the Alpine and at treeline most open areas are wind affected. These windslabs are overlying the dec 18th facet layer down 20-30cm. Easy failures have been noted on this interface indicating that it is ripe for a human trigger. Watch for "drummy" sounds and shooting cracks. These are all positive indicators that you are moving into more skier triggerable areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Whumphing and cracking was observed as forecasters approached windloaded areas at treeline. Thin to thick snowpack areas should be treated with caution.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Its thought that the windslabs are very likely to step down to this layer. Large avalanches are possible. Thin spots are now on our radar as trigger points for this layer.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2016 2:00PM