Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2012 8:43AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Not much new snow in the forecast for a few days. Watch for pockets of windslabs around ridgecrests and in steeper or unsupported terrain. The days are now less that 8hrs of Daylight! Pack a thermos and a headlamp!

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

THe high pressure ridge will continue to dominate the forecast region. Winds will continue to be light with generally only small accumulations of new snow. Cool temps will persist.

Avalanche Summary

A few small slabs on N and E aspects up to size 2. The majority of slabs that were observed came out of 40+deg terrain and were likely triggerred by wind loading.

Snowpack Summary

Down flow winds have created pockets of windslabs in some areas. Higher elevation terrain has windslabs up to 30cm thick in most open wind affected areas. These slabs are not only on N and E aspects but also on more southern aspects due to NW winds earlier in the week. The midpack is overall, well settled with no prominent weak layers and the 1106CR is down 100cm and only producing sheers in the hard range.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of these wind slabs along ridgelines, around cross loaded features and be especially careful around unsupported terrain. Down flow winds associated with the cool air have produced slabs in unusal areas so heads up hockey out there.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Persistent Slabs

The Nov crust hasn't been that active of late but its still out there and in our minds as we travel. Large loads such as cornices or an avalanche stepping down to this layer might be the most likely situations wherein we may see it "come alive".

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2012 2:00PM