Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2017 3:27PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The skiing is good right now, but be diligent when evaluating the avalanche problems. Increased northerly winds on Tuesday will create additional wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building over the region bringing a cool northerly flow. Tuesday in Kananaskis will be a mix of sun and cloud with a high of -6 C. Ridge-top winds will be from the NW at 30-50 km/h. There is no precipitation in the forecast for at least the next 5 days.

Avalanche Summary

A few slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed yesterday on steep N and E aspects in the Alpine. No new avalanches were observed today.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab ranging from 30 to 50cm thick are present in Alpine areas in lee and cross-loaded features. At the moment these slabs do not extend far down-slope, but this will change as winds increase. The November crust layers are buried between 50 and 70cm at Treeline and do not appear particularly active, but are certainly worth keeping an eye on. The basal layers of the snowpack are made up of a mix of crusts from October and facets. These layers continue to show moderate to hard results in snowpack stability tests.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Remember, in shallow areas it is still possible to trigger the deeper layers and wake up the weak facets around the October crusts.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent wind slabs 30-50cm deep are being encountered in the Alpine on N and E aspects. These slabs do not yet extend far down-slope, but be cautious near ridge-crest. The strong northerly flow will add southerly aspects to the problem area tomorrow.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2017 2:00PM