Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2016 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Widespread wind slabs now in the Alpine and Tree line. Choose your route carefully to not expose yourself onto avalanche terrain. Human triggered avalanches are a concern.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Strong winds today in the Spray area from valley bottom to ridge top. Forecasted strong winds until the end of the week with tomorrow temperature as -15c as a high. Intense snow redistribution due to winds.

Avalanche Summary

Expect the recent wind slabs to be sensitive to human triggering. Areas to the West of Kananaskis Country have started to see more avalanche activity with both wind slabs on the Dec 18 facets. More winds will only increase the likelihood of triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Most of the new snow we got over Christmas has now been moved around by the wind at all elevations. Below tree line, travel continues to be challenging due to the lack of snow. The big difference is happening at tree line where now wind slabs have been deposited on mostly S to NE aspects overtop of the recent snow at Christmas. Widespread wind slabs can be expected in the Alpine from the previous and continued strong winds. All of these recent wind slabs sit overtop of a previous wind slab that formed before Christmas. Thicker surface wind slabs up to 50cm can be especially found in lee pockets and cross loaded areas or gullies.

Problems

Wind Slabs

These wind slabs have been forming in the last three days and are expecting to grow with the forecast winds. These wind slabs are sensitive to human triggering and have the possibility to step down to the Dec 18 facets.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

These slabs were formed before the Christmas snowfall and can be found buried below the most recent wind slabs.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2016 2:00PM