Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 15th, 2015 7:23AM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Surface conditions will be a clue for snow stability. Watch for areas with stiffer snow resting on top of the Dec 4th layer.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods tomorrow. No new snow. It will be a bit cooler with alpine highs hitting -13. 2500m winds will be 20-30 km/hr from the NW.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new from the last 24hours.

Snowpack Summary

A surprising lack of wind affect at lower elevations right now. At valley bottom, the surface hoar layer is down 30cm's and at the moment is unreactive(no slab present). At treeline, the surface snow is showing signs of surface faceting and still no windslab. A test pit at 2350m had the Dec 4th interface down 40cm's and not reactive. Its important to note that the Dec 4th interface is a variety of different surfaces. Its currently either a crust, flattened surface hoar or a combination of both. In this pit, we did have a moderate shear just above the Dec 4th. This layer appeared to be a fine layer of broken grains. The alpine has some wind affect in some areas, but overall it is still soft and lacking a wide spread slab problem.Snow depths: Mud Lake 75, Burstall Pass 94, Aster Lake 84 & Dog Leg 110

Problems

Wind Slabs

These slabs are buried beneath 10-20cm's of snow in the mid elevation alpine. In the upper alpine reaches, expect these slabs to be more pronounced and widespread. These slabs sit on a variety of surfaces.

Avoid unsupported slopes.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Persistent Slabs

At the moment, a lack of a windslab is limiting any avalanche problem below treeline. When the surface condition changes, expect the surface hoar to wake up. Be sure to re-assess as you approach treeline. Watch for stiffer slabs as you travel.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 16th, 2015 2:00PM