Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 2017 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Snow and wind are on the way. Be prepared for an increase in avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Sunday night could see 10 to15cm of new snow with moderate westerly winds. Monday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature will reach a high of -11 °C. with continued moderate westerly winds. A further 15 to 20cm of snow is forecast for Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported for at least 1 week.

Snowpack Summary

Another windy day on Sunday, but this has led to little change in the snowpack. The winds, temperatures and lack of snow have left a variety of surface layers- none of which are conducive to good skiing. Valley bottom has decomposing surface hoar that is covered with a dusting of snow from the past 48 hours. Treeline is a widespread wind slab surface covering the crusts from late november. The alpine is also severely wind affected and on any windward aspect its blown to gravel or the old crusts. In general, there is not much out there for avalanche problems at the moment.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs will develop overnight with the expected snowfall and moderate westerly winds. Look for these on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

New snow will sluff easily in steeper terrain at higher elevations as well as below 2150m where the weak layer of large surface hoar crystals exists.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer is widespread in terms of its location in the terrain. The new snow load will not likely be enough to activate this layer yet, but be cautious of thin areas where triggering may be more possible.

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 18th, 2017 2:00PM