Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2017 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs are more widespread in the alpine and extend down to the trees in some places.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Mix of sun and cloud for Tuesday with westerly winds of 25km/hr. Alpine temperatures expected around -3c with a freezing level of 1400m. This will be the weather pattern until Friday when cooler temperatures are expected.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity observed.

Snowpack Summary

Quite a bit of wind slab on all aspects in the alpine and trending to treeline. This wind slab can be quite hard and mostly breakable. Isolated sun crust on steep solar aspects. Surface hoar is growing and is found up to 2100m. The November rain crusts will be present for the season and are 30-50cm down from the surface but are not a big concern at the moment.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found in most places in the alpine and extend somewhat into treeline. These slabs are 10-30cm thick and can be hard and breakable.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Breakable crust makes for tough ski conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer is widespread in terms of its location in the terrain. Its condition seems to vary from an intact crust to a facetted mish mash of weak grains. Thin areas that have a hard slab over top should be treated with caution.

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 12th, 2017 2:00PM