Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Kananaskis.
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.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3