Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

No wind is making for fantastic skiing out there. The northern part of the forecast region has more of a windslab problem, but still reasonable. In all areas, inspect steep lines carefully for buried slabs before launching into them.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

The current weather pattern will continue more or less as is for awhile yet. Some cloud is expected tomorrow. No snow is forecast for the next 3 days. Temperatures tomorrow will peak at -1300 in the alpine. Expect another chilly morning. Winds will be light at all elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose dry avalanches from the last 48hrs are still visible. These are isolated to steep, gully features. A cornice collapse was also noted today from a distance. There didn't appear to be any propagation of the slope below. Sz 1.5, SE asp 2500m

Snowpack Summary

We are seeing more wind transport from last week in the northern portion of the forecast region. As expected, the alpine windslabs are more prevalent in the northern regions and have a slightly higher likelihood of human triggering. These windslabs are buried beneath the new snow, down as much as 20cm in some areas. The slabs are generally well bonded to the layers underneath. At treeline, there is still no significant windloading of the upper layers. The Dec 4th is present, but still not reactive. The recent cold has already started to facet the surface snow, which is also helping to keep the hazard low. Below treeline, it is still a well settled snowpack with no significant layers of concern yet. Snow depths are:mud lake 80highwood 75Burstall pass 106

Problems

Wind Slabs

These are present at the upper end of treeline as the terrain becomes more wind exposed. The alpine is where there is more concern for windslabs. These slabs are buried beneath 10-20cm's of new snow and more focused to ridge features.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 2:00PM