Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2012 8:43AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Snow is in the forecast for the area! Depending on the amounts of snow & wind the hazard may spike. Conditions may change rapidly. MM

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Low pressure bringing light, but steady snow to the area starting Wed night. Amounts are expected to be up to 20cm in the next 24hrs. Winds will vary from light at valley bottom to strong in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Natural trigger, slab, E aspect, 2300m, sz2 Icefall trigger, slab, E aspect, 2000m, sz1 Small pocket pulled out below ice, the ice continued to slide down the entire slope (200m), entraining snow as it went, but no slope failure. Very large ice chunks, up to 4 cubic meters total.

Snowpack Summary

continued wind building wind slabs at TL and above. Significant wind transport today. Midpack generally well settled, but surface facetting continues with strong TG. Nov crust down 80-100 at TL and is starting to break down at TL elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are highly variable in their depth and distribution, but are prominent in alpine areas and isolated locations at treeline. Cross-loaded features and terrain immediately below ridge crests are possible trigger points.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is prevalent throughout the forecast area and is buried 100cm on average. Field tests are showing a decrease in activity on this layer but it should not be forgotten. Thin spots may be areas where light loads could trigger this interface.

Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2012 2:00PM