Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2017 3:32PM

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

KESAdmin, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Slow skiing with the cooler temperatures. Watch for windslabs on all aspects developing with the incoming north winds.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

No new snow is forecast for the next few days and conditions are likely to be cold!!! North winds will cause some reverse loading so be mindful for windslabs on all aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity in the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm new snow with the deeper areas being in the eastern region (Hwy 40). Windslabs being found in Alpine terrain along ridgelines and in cross loaded areas but they do not extend far downslop. At treeline a surface hoar layer is being found widespread up to 2200m down 30cm but a lack of a cohesive slab over this layer is preventing it being a problem...yet. Facets are building over the november crusts but we are still generally only getting hard to no results on this layer.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs in open areas and along ridge lines. As winds increase these will become more reactive. Watch for areas with reverse loading.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Avoid cross loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Caution in thinner snowpack areas where you may be able to wake up this layer.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2017 2:00PM