Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2014 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The snowpack has been slow to improve since last week's storm. Human triggering is still a very real concern. The weak and shallow early-season snowpack produced widespread whumpfing for field teams today.

Summary

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will bring warmer temps with Alpine areas seeing a high of -5 celsius. Winds will remain light and westerly for the next few days. Very light precipitation is possible late Thursday and into Friday, but no significant accumulations are expected.

Avalanche Summary

Natural activity continued today in the Spray with slab avalanches up to size 2.5 on South and East Aspects in the Alpine. Smaller avalanches (up to size 1.5) up to 36 hours old were also observed at treeline today in steep open terrain on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Observed a large portion of the area today on monthly snow study flight. Lots of wind transport at Alpine and Treeline elevations due to moderate to strong winds out of the West. Wind slabs are prominent in all lee and cross-loaded terrain at higher elevations. Whumpfing was widespread in areas traveled today. Total snowpack depth varied from 70 to 120cm deep. Previous storm snow has now settled to an average of 65cm at 2200m. The November rain crust remains prominent about 20 to 30cm off the ground, and there is a layer of facets above the crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are prominent in lee and cross-loaded features at higher elevations. Concern remains for human triggering, specifically in steeper terrain. Lots of whumpfing was observed today.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>Whumpfing is direct evidence of a buried instability.>Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Slab failures are sometimes stepping down to the November rain crust.

Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences>Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2014 2:00PM