Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Deep persistent slabs have become more trigger-able with the recent warming. The November rain crust will be a problem for some time to come. Keep an eye on the approaching warm, windy and wet storm.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Warm and windy for the next few days. Tuesday will see alpine temperatures climbing to -2 celsius with light flurries and SW winds over 100km/h. Wednesday will be similar with more precipitation in the forecast. Unfortunately some of the precipitation may fall as rain below 2100m.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar was observed in sheltered areas today. Recent warm temperatures have settled the snowpack creating a more cohesive slab above the November rain crust at treeline and below. Alpine areas are widely wind effected with widespread wind slabs. A layer of facets above the November rain crust is producing consistent moderate shears in snowpack stability tests. Test profile today at 2300m on a SE aspect on a 30 degree slope produced moderate Compression Tests and moderate Extended Column Tests down 65 to 70cm in the facets above the November crust.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Recent warming has created a more cohesive slab over the November rain crust. Stability tests today indicate that human-triggering is likely.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>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

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are prominent in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. These slabs could step down to the deep persistent slab causing a large avalanche.

Avoid cross loaded features.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2014 2:00PM