Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2018 3:00PM

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

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

The recent snow has been blown around by the strong winds. These wind slabs are sitting on a weak faceted base. Perfect recipe for avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

The winds are supposed to stay strong (75km/hr) in the alpine from the SW until Friday. The next pulse of snow is forecast to start in the wee hours of Friday morning. Alpine temperatures on Thursday will be around -7c.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches were observed on Wednesday Dec 12 but the visibility was poor to see much.

Snowpack Summary

The alpine has received 10-15cm of new snow which has been blown into wind slabs from the strong SW winds. Expect the westerly slopes to be scoured of snow and the lee sides and cross loaded gullies to be well loaded with snow. More snow and 75km/hr winds for Thursday will continue to grow the wind slabs. Expect these new slabs to be touchy and if they do release, they will probably step down into the weak base layers and involve the whole snowpack.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Strong winds since Monday along with the recent snowfall have created extensive wind slabs. Potential for full snowpack failure with these new slabs.

Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Strong winds since Monday along with the recent snowfall have created extensive wind slabs.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.