Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 4th, 2024 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
Another warm day is forecast for Thursday! In the long term this will help our snowpack but in the short term its pretty rugged travel out there at this time! Thin areas around the stiffer windslabs should be treated as suspect and avoided. Patience, lots of winter left!
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed today.
Snowpack Summary
Well, not much be a changing out there right now. Wind slabs are present in more specific features in the alpine such as lee features and cross loaded slopes/gullies. Approach the alpine with this in mind. The height of snow varies from 40cm of facets to 70cm of more consolidated snow. Early season hazards are all over the place at all elevations. The October crust is close to the ground and has started to break down with facets just above it. This is our layer of concern and would provide a good sliding layer if triggered at the right spot. Thin areas are likely places wherein you could trigger an avalanche right now. These might be at the sides of gullies or edges of slopes. Keep this in mind as you travel!
Weather Summary
Another warm day is forecast for Thursday with a freezing level forecast to be around 2200m with generally light winds out of the west. No new snow is in the forecast until the weekend! Check weather stations for the presence of an inversion in the morning.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Be on the lookout for these when transitioning into the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This slab is sitting on the October crust which has facets above it and provides a good sliding surface. It is more reactive on N and E aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 6th, 2024 3:00PM
