Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 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.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Recently formed wind slabs in Alpine and Treeline elevations are a concern in steep terrain. Look to sheltered locations for better quality skiing.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will be mainly cloudy with no precipitation expected. Alpine temperatures should reach a high of -10 °C. Winds will be light from the NE. As the week progresses a return to sunny conditions is expected, with no precipitation in the forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new observed today, but visibility was limited. Yesterday several slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were observed on N and E aspects in steep Alpine terrain between 2400 and 2600m. These slabs were 10 to 20cm thick and generally did not run far.

Snowpack Summary

Trace to 3cm of new snow overnight has done little to change the character of the snowpack. Wind slabs are found in lee and cross-loaded terrain in the Alpine and Treeline elevation bands. These slabs were observed to be cracking with skier traffic yesterday and several naturally triggered avalanches have occurred over the past 48hrs. The persistent weak layer from Dec 4th is buried between 30 and 60cm at Treeline and below, but has not been reactive for some time.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are found in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline and above. These slabs are sensitive to human triggering in steeper terrain and a small avalanche cycle associated with this problem has occurred over the past 48 hours.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2015 2:00PM