Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 23 – 24, 2017Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cooler temperatures are leading to an improving trend in the avalanche danger level. However, wind slabs at upper elevations still require careful evaluation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs are present in open areas and along ridge lines, and continued to grow today with the moderate winds. Watch for areas with reverse loading due to the recent northerly winds.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Triggering of a deeper slab is unlikely but still possible, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered loose dry avalanches up to size 1.0 were observed in very steep Alpine terrain on all aspects. Otherwise no slab avalanches were observed or reported in the past few days.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be a mix of sun and cloud with a high -17 Celsius in the Alpine. Winds will be light from the West. It looks like Santa won't be bringing any snow for Christmas Day.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures and clear skies are leading to surface facetting. Wind slabs are found in the Alpine on all aspects and in open areas at Treeline immediately below ridge-crests in lee and cross-loaded terrain. The Dec 15th surface hoar layer is found down 20 to 30cm at elevations below 2200m, but the lack of an overlying slab means that this layer of concern is not yet active. The November crusts are beginning to facet and are producing generally hard results in stability tests.

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