Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2013 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A cold front is expected tomorrow with some new snow and cooler temps. Amounts are uncertain right now, windloading may become a problem at the higher elevations. Watch for changing conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weather Forecast

A cold front is approaching from the NW. Winds are expected to decrease in speed and change to a more NW-N direction. 7cm of snow is forecasted, but amounts could vary. Temps are going to fall to more seasonable values.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing to mention here.

Snowpack Summary

The snow continues to be blown away. At this point most alpine ridges are blown clean with lee areas blown in with windslabs of varying density (elevation dependant). In sheltered areas (TL & below) the HS is shrinking and is still on the weak side. HS@burstall pass 75 and HS @ Burstall parking is 58.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer isn't expected to get any better any time soon. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this layer needs to be carefully assessed at TL elevations. Make sure the layer is a known factor before committing to a piece of terrain.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2013 2:00PM