Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 21st, 2016–Dec 22nd, 2016

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

Fresh wind slabs are the main concern in the snowpack and they will be sensitive to human triggering for the next couple of days. Also watch for previously formed wind slabs found on all aspects.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be mostly cloudy with strong SW winds. Friday and Saturday could see light snow accumulations and cooler temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Limited natural slab avalanche activity has been observed in Alpine terrain on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Another 10 to 12cm of new snow in the past 24 hours pushes the recent storm snow up to between 30 to 40cm. The storm snow interface produced moderate shears today in snowpack tests. Wind slabs are dominant in Alpine and Treeline areas, especially in lee and cross-loaded features. The November crust layer buried between 50 and 90cm continues to be a layer we are watching closely, but snowpack test results remain highly variable at this interface. The low elevation snowpack remains weak and facetted.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Various layers of wind slab are found in the Alpine and at Treeline. The most recent storm focussed on lee and cross-loaded features, but previously formed wind slabs are found on all aspects. Evaluate terrain carefully before committing to a slope.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

Still a concern given our mainly facetted snow pack. Gully features should be avoided. Ice climbers should be very aware of this concern.

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Carry avalanche safety equipment on ice climbs in avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2