Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2015 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Recently formed storm slabs are sensitive to natural and human triggering. The Dec 4th weak layer will be one to watch for some time to come. Conservative route selection is in order.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures should reach a high -6 °C. Ridge-top winds will be out of the south at 20-35 km/h. Friday and Saturday will bring a slight cooling trend.

Avalanche Summary

Several small loose dry avalanches were observed today mostly in steep Alpine terrain. Observation were somewhat limited due to limited visibility.

Snowpack Summary

12 to 15cm of new snow in the past 24hrs brings storm snow totals up to 35 to 45cm. The Dec 4th interface of surface hoar, sun crust and facets is very sensitive to snowpack stability tests indicating a high likelihood of human triggering. Storm slabs sitting on the Dec 4th interface are found in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline and above.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm slabs sitting on top of the Dec 4th interface are found in the Alpine and at Treeline in lee and cross-loaded features. Recent field tests indicate that these slabs are sensitive to human triggering.

Whumpfing, shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong inicators of unstable snowpack.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Choose well supported terrain without convexities.>Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Dry

Expect sluffing in steep terrain at Treeline and above.

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2015 2:00PM