Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2013 3:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Strong winds are expected to push into the forcast region here tomorrow. Wind slabs will continue to grown so heads up as you transition into more wind affected areas. As a side note, travel below treeline is still rugged.....

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

On Friday we can expect temperature to begin to get more seasonal and winds to become strong out of the SW at treeline and above.Â

Avalanche Summary

The natural avalanche cycle has come to an end and no new natural avalanches were observed on Thursday.Â

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of HST continues to settle but this is happening very slowly under the influence of the cold temperatures.Â In open wind affected area above treeline, recent winds are creating 1F and stiffer windslabs.Â No cracking or whumpfing was observed but we didnt venture to far up above treeline areas.Â At the base of the snowpack there is a spotty October 27th crust.Â Field tests today near a previous skier avalanched slope were giving us CTM(SC) results in a facet layer beneath this crust.Â What was troubling was this collapse was essentially, the entire winters snowpack as of yet.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have created wind slabs in isolated areas at treeline and specific terrain above. Lots of snow is still available for transport so heads up. Gullies and windloaded features is where the snow is, and thats where the problem is...

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Wind slabs in the recent snow may step down to the October crust at the base of the snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2013 2:00PM