Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2016 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.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Great skiing can be found if you are willing to brave the frigid temperatures. Watch for buried wind slabs along ridge-crests that could be human-triggered.

Summary

Confidence

High - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Arctic air has moved into the region bringing cold temps (highs near -21 °C) and generally sunny skies. Winds are generally going to be light from the North and no precipitation is expected for the next couple of days.

Avalanche Summary

Two small loose dry avalanches were observed today in very steep Alpine terrain on an East aspect.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25cm of low density recent storm snow overlies a buried wind slab. In the Alpine these buried wind slabs are reacting to stability tests in the "hard" range. Isolated pockets of recently formed wind slab were observed at ridge-crest in the Alpine, formed both by reverse loading and lee loading. The Nov 12th crust is now buried 65cm at Treeline and has not been reactive to stability tests.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Pockets of wind slab are present in Alpine terrain along ridge-crests. These slabs are present on all aspects due to lee loading and reverse loading.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Buried wind slabs are present in the alpine and treeline and are found 40 to 60cm below the surface.

The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2016 2:00PM