Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2013 3:00PM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A heavy snowfall warning is in affect for the Kananaskis Region. Forecasts are calling for up to 20cm of snow but we are more likely to receive 10-15cm. Avalanche danger will rise when this snow arrives.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

A heavy snowfall warning is in affect for the Kananaskis region. Snowfall amounts vary but we may see up to 20cm of snow in some areas but more likely amounts are 10-15cm. .

Avalanche Summary

No new natural or skier triggerred avalanches were reported or observed.

Snowpack Summary

Little change over the past 24hrs... Surface hoar up to 15mm can be found below 2200m and a thin MFC is being observed on steep solar aspects up to 2600m. These two layers will become persistent weak layers once the new snow arrives.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Stiff windslabs can be found along ridgelines and in gullied terrain. The entire snowpack is likely to be involved in any avalanche that occurs on this layer.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Storm Slabs

New storm slabs are forecast to develop overnight.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2013 2:00PM