Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 2014 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Warm temps are promoting settlement within the snowpack but there is still the potential for human triggerring in some areas like ridgelines and wind affected terrain. 

Summary

Confidence

Good - Due to the quality of field observations on Sunday

Weather Forecast

A few more cms of snow will fall over the next few days but not to much.  Temps will remain warm and settlement will likely continue.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed.

Snowpack Summary

Not much is changing out there right now.  Warm temps are promoting settlement within the snowpack and overall strengthening long term.  The 1106Cr is down 80cm and the 1124FC interface is down 60cm.  Both are producing moderate sheers that are becomming more resistant planar in nature.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Being found along ridgelines, and in gullied terrain.  Pockets of hard slabs being observed approaching ice climbs also.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Avoid cross loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets overlying the 1106CR has been responsible for many avalanche over the past week.  Did down and evalulate this interface as you travel.
Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 8th, 2014 2:00PM