Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2017 3:00PM

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

KESAdmin, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Cooler temperatures are incoming this weekend but check wx stations for a possible inversion in the morning. Wind and warm temps have made good skiing challenging to find. MK

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Well overnight on Friday cooler temperatures should begin to move into the forecast region and we should see a new crust form again on the solar aspects! The omega block weather pattern is holding firm and arent likely to see any new snow over the next while.

Avalanche Summary

Some pinwheeling due to moist snow was observed out of steep solar aspects later in the day. Otherwise no new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are most noticeable near ridgeline and extending down the slope on most aspects due to the recent winds. Today was warm and sunny, thus making the snow moist on solar aspects and turning into a crust once the sun went away. The November crusts are still a concern, mostly in shallow areas. Surface hoar is developing in lower elevations. This will be yet another layer to pay attention to.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for pockets of hard slabs along ridgelines and in gullied terrain. In some areas these slabs may be large and have the ability to propagate across a feature.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Only isolated avalanches on this layer over the past few days. Use caution in thinner areas where you may be able to wake up this layer.

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 9th, 2017 2:00PM