Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2012 8:27AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Temperatures tomorrow should be a little better. Lots of folks out there today enjoying the good skiing. As the regular lines see more traffic, be sure to assess any new lines with a critical eye. MM

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Wind speed or direction are uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Temperatures are expected to climb in the next 24hrs (luckily!). Winds in the alpine will speed up to the strong range (<60 km/hr) and shift to a NW flow. As for precip, we'll have to settle with what we have for now. Not much expected in K-Country for Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose dry avalanches in the last 24hrs. Most out of very steep(45 degree plus) terrain, all aspects and limited to the alpine. Cornice failure has been a theme lately. The most significant observation was on the North face of Mt. Bogart. A cornice triggered a size 3 avalanche out of high (3000m) alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Surface facetting in upper 10cm's. Windslabs are buried beneath this about 15cm. The mid-pack is generally well settled and supportive. The Nov. 6 crust is down 70-80 at TL.

Problems

Storm Slabs

The slabs created by last week's wind event have become stiffer with the cold temperatures. These slabs are buried 15-20cms down in many places.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>Avoid cross loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Loose Dry

Loose dry avalanches from steep unskiable terrain on all aspects, but more prominent on lee aspects. If the cold continues, expect these to run further and faster than expected.

Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

This problem appears to need a large trigger to wake it up. Given the cold temps and recent cornice failures, triggering this layer could become a real possibility. Ice climbers, watch for falling daggers/ice as a potential trigger in specific areas.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2012 2:00PM