Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 2013 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Maybe tomorrow will warm up? Never did reach that -12 today. We are forecasted to pull out of this temp slump over the week-end, but the exact timing isn't certain. Be prepared for cold until it arrives. Hopefully that will be soon!

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Temperatures for the forecast region had predicted a warming trend to happen today. This unfortunately didn't happen...yet . Valley bottom temps are forecasted to remain fairly steady at -15. However ridge top temps are expected to rise over the day tomorrow. An inversion is forecasted for all regions right now. This inversion will peak overnight tomorrow, and temps could reach as high as -8. Ridgetop winds will pick up slightly as well as this inversion occurs. No new snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches noted today.

Snowpack Summary

No dramatic change here. In fact there's no change at all. Faceting is ruling the snow pack right now thats for sure! There has very little settlement, so atleast the snow depth is holding steady. Winds have been light, but expect some snow to be blowing around at ridge top as the weather changes. The fetches (windward side of slopes) are still covered in snow, so there is snow available for transport.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This crust layer is still with us and its location is becoming even more variable as time goes on. Keeping an eye on thin, and/or steep areas will be important. It still has the potential for big avalanches.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

These reverse loaded slabs still deserve attention as well. The upper ranges of tree line and alpine are where they're most likely to linger.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 8th, 2013 2:00PM