Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Recently formed thin wind slabs have become reactive at higher elevations. Otherwise the main concern remains the basal weaknesses.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Monday should bring a mostly cloudy day with moderate to strong West winds. Very light precipitation is possible and temperatures should reach -9 degrees. Windy conditions will continue through Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday could see small accumulations of new snow.

Avalanche Summary

One thin wind slab failure was observed today. This size 1.5 avalanche occurred in the past 24 to 48hrs on a SE aspect at 2400m. It was a thin wind slab that appeared to fail on the ground.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10cm of new snow has fallen in the past 36hrs. Strong to extreme SW winds are redistributing this snow and thin wind slab formation is ongoing in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. The Dec 13th rain crust remains dominant in the snowpack below 2200m. The November rain crust and facet combo remains a concern deeper in the snowpack.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs are found in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Continued wind slab formation is expected with strong SW winds and light snowfall.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2014 2:00PM