Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 30th, 2014 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 Deep Persistent Slabs.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Forecasters had a really good look around through the entire region today. Observations and tests confirm that the hazard level is still elevated at higher elevations, and this condition still seems slow to improve.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud is expected on Wednesday with Alpine temperatures reaching -6 degrees. Winds will be light from the West. There is a chance of very light precipitation towards the end of the week.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Snow profile today at 2200m showed total snow depth of 104cm. Between 25 and 30cm of snow sit on the Dec 13th rain crust. This interface is producing easy to moderate shears, especially where the overlying snow has been wind affected. The mid-pack is well settled and strong, but the basal layers are weak. Between 20 and 30cm of depth hoar and facets sit at the base of the snowpack. Compression tests are failing in the moderate to hard range on the basal weak layers. The November rain crust has now completely faceted out in most areas.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Conditions are still touchy on the Dec 13th rain crust where wind slabs exist. Watch for this condition as you transition into open areas at Treeline and expect widespread wind slab conditions in the Alpine.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak basal layers have been responsible for isolated avalanche activity over the past week. Be especially cautious in thin snowpack areas. While it is less likely to trigger this avalanche problem, the consequences could be significant.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 31st, 2014 2:00PM