Kananaskis

Only a few cm's of snow is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. The avalanche hazard is expected to remain the same. Look to sheltered northerly aspects for isolated pockets of soft snow.

No new avalanches have been reported.

We do not expect the snowpack summary to change in the next couple of days given that only 2-8cm is possibly forecast with moderate winds and below freezing temperatures. The recent snowfall is settling rapidly on all but the most sheltered northerly aspects. Wind slabs dominate the Alpine landscape with multiple layers of laminated wind slabs in the upper snowpack. The Dec crust down 30 to 50cm is spotty through the forecast area, but is a layer of concern. The deeper Nov and Oct crusts are faceting and could be triggered with large loads such as a cornice or a surface wind slab. Overall snowpack depths are well below average, and in many lower elevation areas it has little to no strength.

The next avalanche bulletin will be issued in the late afternoon of December 26. If the avalanche hazard is expected to increase before this time, an updated bulletin will be issued.

Wednesday: Accumulation of snow will be minimal but maybe a few centimeters to whiten things up(3cm). Expect a high temperature of -10c in the alpine with ridgetops winds from the SW in the 30-40km/hr.

Thursday: Maybe another 4cm of snow could come for Boxing day with a high temperature of -6c. Winds are expected to be in the 25-25km/hr at ridgetop.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.