Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2018 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

It still possible to trigger an avalanche where previously formed hard slabs overlie a weak base. An avalanche involvement in this early season shallow snowpack would certainly be unpleasant.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Mainly sunny for the next several days with generally light winds. Temperatures are expected to be fairly typical for this time of year with highs between -4 and -8 for a couple of days, before warming slightly towards the end of the week.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of new snow fell Saturday night through to Sunday morning. Unfortunately this did little to improve the snowpack. For the rest of the snowpack.....hmmmm. Where to start? Lets mix it up and start with alpine windslabs. These are widespread in distribution, but the density will vary with exposure to wind. Expect harder slabs in gullies and immediate lee areas. Next, we'll tackle treeline windslabs. Like the alpine, these will be found near ridges and gullies, but expect them to quickly fade as you move away from the treeline/alpine border. Lastly, lets chat about the Oct 26 layer. This is widespread, but its condition seems to vary from area to area. In some places it is complete garbage- a collection of facets and depth hoar waiting to crumble. In others, it's still intact and even supportive. The bottom line? Dig to check it out.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Lens of hard slabs should be expected in alpine areas. Thin weak spots at the edges of these lens should be treated with caution.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This crust is mostly found on or near the ground. This layer has not been active lately, but there is potential for slab avalanches on this layer given the current snowpack structure.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2018 2:00PM