Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2017 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Conditions are stable with wind slabs in the alpine that extend into tree line. Not much change expected until this weather pattern changes.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud for Wednesday with northerly winds of 25km/hr. Alpine temperatures expected around -3c with a freezing level of 1500m. This will be the weather pattern until Friday when cooler temperatures are expected.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity observed.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack will not really change until something happens with the weather.Â Quite a bit of wind slab on all aspects in the alpine and trending to treeline. This wind slab can be quite hard and mostly breakable. Isolated sun crust on steep solar aspects. Surface hoar is growing and is found up to 2100m. The November rain crusts will be present for the season and are 30-50cm down from the surface but are not a big concern at the moment.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found in most places in the alpine and extend somewhat into treeline. These slabs are 10-30cm thick and can be hard and breakable.

Breakable crust makes for tough ski conditions.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer is widespread in terms of its location in the terrain. Its condition seems to vary from an intact crust to a facetted mish mash of weak grains. Thin areas that have a hard slab over top should be treated with caution.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2017 2:00PM