Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2014 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Not much is changing out there right now. Lower elevations are still pretty rugged. We are seeing some improvement in the higher elevations but bottom line, it hasnt snowed in a while! Got to love the Rockies!!!

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Well, no new snow is in the forecast for the next while and the drought will likely continue. Light to moderate NW winds will keep temps cool and air dry...

Avalanche Summary

Only loose dry avalanches have been observed over the past few days. There has been no recent slab avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Not too much is changing out there. There is a prominent rain crust in the upper snowpack knows as the Dec 13th crust. Easy-Moderate sheers are persisting on the top of this crust on a thin layer of facets or isolated surface hoar. The mid pack seems really variable depending on where we are. In some areas its been good and well settled and in others weak and facetted. We find ourselves digging and poking around a lot seeking out these differences as we try to gain confidence. At the base of the snowpack its the usual rockies garbage. Weak and facetted depth hoar and facets. The nov crust is showing signs of breaking down.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs are failing on a layer of facets overlying the Dec 13th Crust.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Not much activity of late on this layer but its still in our minds...

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2014 2:00PM