Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2018 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

More snow and strong winds may push the avalanche danger into HIGH on Sunday. Conditions are still rugged out there with a generally below average snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

As the cold front pushes throuhgou the region tonight we can expect a few more cm of snow to fall. At most 10cm is what we should expect. Winds will continue to be the dominate theme overnight before easing tomorrow as temperatures return to more seasonal values.

Avalanche Summary

A few new sz 1-2 slabs at treeline and low alpine areas. These slabs were mainly on N, W and E aspects and failing in the basal facets.

Snowpack Summary

8cm new in the Alpine over the past 24hrs and a few cm throuhgout the day but overall, wind was the main theme. Strong winds from the west pummelled the snowpack creating widespread hard slabs in open areas. The Dec 10th and the weak layer of facets underneath this layer are the main culprits these days as any failures in the snowpack are going to involve the weak basal facets and the majority of the snowpack. Ski quality is pretty dismal for sure.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal layers are very weak. An avalanche initiated in the upper snowpack could step down to the bottom of the snowpack.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2018 2:00PM