Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2015 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

New snow and relatively light winds have freshened up the ski quality in many areas.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Dribs and drabs of snow are expected over the next few days with seasonal temps and continued moderate SW winds at the higher elevations. No major frontal systems are expected to cross the region until Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today.

Snowpack Summary

8-12cm of new snow over the past 24hrs with generally very little wind. We currently have two main concerns within the snowpack. New windslabs that are building in Alpine areas as well as isolated areas at treeline and the Dec 3rd surface hoar/facet interface down 40-60cm. The new windslabs are being found along ridgelines, and in gullied terrain in the alpine. As of todays observations these slabs are only 10-15cm deep and in immediate lees but they were reactive to a skiers weight. As they grow under the influence of new winds and more snow we can expect the problem to become more widespread so pay attention as you travel. The other concern, the Dec 3rd layer hasn't produced any avalanches in some time but as we get more and more snow, this load may become reactive later in the season.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh windslabs are building in immediate lees along ridgelines and in crossloaded features in Alpine terrain. These slabs are more isolated in treeline features.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2015 2:00PM