Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2017 3:31PM

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.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The winds have yet to arrive which seems so rare! Watch for pockets of skier triggerable wind slabs along ridgelines, mainly on N and E aspects. Good skiing in sheltered areas!

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud is expected on Monday. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -9 C. Ridge wind west: 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

A few sz 2 avalanches were observed in steep E facing alpine terrain failing 30-50cm deep. Some may have been triggerred by loose sluffing from above. One noteable sz 2.5 avalanche was seen on the E face of Snow Peak that may have been triggerred by a cornice collapse and occurred within the past 24-48hrs. The depth on this slide was estimated to be at least 50cm deep, 100m wide and ran an unknown distance.

Snowpack Summary

A few additional cm of new snow overnight and generally light winds except above 2900m where some snow transport was observed. So far the upper snowpack is continuing to settle and we are not seeing any results on the Nov CRs. A weak layer of facetted crystals is being observed below the Halloween crust that is continuing to produce moderate to hard results deeper in the snowpack. In alpine terrain you should expect to encounter pocket of windslabs 30-50cm thick along ridgelines, below cliff faces and along cross loaded slopes. Use caution in these areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent windslabs 30-50cm deep are being encountered in Alpine on N and E aspects. These slabs do not extend far downslope but are definetly at the entrances to runs so use caution.

Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Remember, in shallow areas it is still possible to trigger the deeper layers and wake up the weak facets around the october crust

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2017 2:00PM