Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2013 7:05AM

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

burke.duncan, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The snow pack is extremely variable right now. Monitor the depth and quality of the snow pack as the terrain steepens. Choose terrain wisely and keep consequences at the front of your mind. Plenty of "early" season hazards out there still.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A predictable pattern this week of moderate temperatures (-4 to -12), steady alpine winds out of the NW (up to 80 km/h at 3000m) and flurries that are expected to bring 4cm's in the next 24hrs. There is a bit more snow forecasted for later in the week and a cooling trend to accompany it.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of spindrift coming off the steep alpine faces with the occasional loose dry pouring out of gullies.

Snowpack Summary

BTL snowpack still thin and weak. TL is a bit better with an average HS 65 and generally supportive. The recent storm snow has been blown around to form soft slabs in open areas. These are mostly unreactive, but that may change as the wind continues and terrain gets steeper. The alpine snowpack is the story of the day. Highly variable in both depth and quality. Hardslab on depth hoar, facets to ground and a skim of snow over rocks. The alpine has it all, and all within a ten meter area.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The variable snow pack depth and this layer are working together to make terrain choices very difficult. Today's snow study found hard slabs over this layer that made us nervous of wide propagations. Big avalanches are a real concern with this layer.

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

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

These new slabs are developing right now. The moderate winds at TL are increasing the likelihood and size of these slabs releasing. Steep, unsupported rolls will be areas of concern tomorrow.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2013 2:00PM