Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 2013 3:00PM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong to extreme winds are expected to continue - if forecasted snowfall amounts are greater than currently forecasted we can look forward to a spike in Avalanche Danger into the CONSIDERABLE range. Overall ski conditions remain suspect!

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Snowfall expected by Tuesday AM did not materialize and forecasted amounts are now less than 10cm over the next 24 hours. A strong westerly flow is expected to continue and rapid redistribution of storm snow onto lee aspects is expected. Even small amounts of new snow coupled with winds action will make recently formed slabs more "touchy" so give careful consideration to the presence of new slabs in the upper elevation zones.

Avalanche Summary

No new observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Only trace amounts of new snow over past 24 hours. Windward features are stripped completely bare by intense westerly flow. Some thin storm slabs formed in previous 48-72 hours may be sensitive to triggering in specific features such as immediate lees and cross-loaded gullies.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Any more new snow coupled with winds will only serve to make surface slabs more "touchy".

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

The likelihood of even a small avalanche stepping down into the deeper weak base is something for all to keep in mind.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 18th, 2013 2:00PM