Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2012 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The days are cold and short right now! A bad combination! Be sure to pack a head lamp, warm clothes as well as a thermos if your headed out. Only 2 shopping days left!

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Cold temperatures are expected to continue over the next few days. We may see a few cm of new snow overnight but we are not expecting any large amounts. Winds have continued to be light which has been a life saver considering the temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed over the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow overnight with very little wind affect. Up to 25cm of recent storm snow can now be found in Alpine areas. This snow has fallen with only light winds and as a result, the wind slabs that developed earlier in the week are now burried and harder to locate. The 1106 basal crust is down 100-120cm throughout the forecast region is beginning to break down. It is still possible to trigger this basal weakness from thin or shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New storm slabs are developing in Alpine terrain where there has been intermitent light and variable winds. These new slabs are in immediate lees and do not extent far down slope.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.>

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs that developed earlier in the week are tougher to located due to recent snowfalls. Watch for pockets of these slabs on open planar slopes as well as be cautious in crossloaded terrain.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is prevalent throughout the forecast area and is buried 100cm on average. Field tests are showing a decrease in activity on this layer but it should not be forgotten. Thin spots may be areas where light loads could trigger this interface.

Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2012 2:00PM