Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2016 3:29PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The storm has ended and deposited up to 40cm of snow. Use careful consideration on your travel route as human triggering is possible on the buried wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Up to 40cm of snow has fallen with this last storm. Cold and light winds forecast for next several days

Avalanche Summary

Noticed numerous size 1 avalanches within the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

We have about 40cm of snow that fell in the last storm. This is sitting on top of a significant wind slab. For the time being, the November crust is buried approximately 50-60cm and will be slower to deteriorate.

Problems

Storm Slabs

This wind slab is about 5cm thick and is found within the recent storm snow.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

These buried wind slabs are present in the alpine and treeline and are found about 40cm below the surface..

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Some wind effect might be found on all aspects near ridgetop.

Choose ice climbs that are not exposed to avalanches from above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2016 2:00PM