Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 19th, 2021–Nov 20th, 2021

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Winds are forecast to increase in Saturday so watch for windslabs to become more reactive along ridgelines and in gullied terrain.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Saturday is forecast to be a bit of a grey day with light snow that shouldn't accumulate to much. Temps will be in the -10's with moderate westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

One small cornice collapse on Mt Birdwood that triggerred a small slab on the underlying slope.

Snowpack Summary

There is an obvious crust down 20-30cm in the trees below 2100m. The surface snow is starting to facet out which makes for pretty good travel. Above the 2200m the crust gradually turns into windslabs of varying hardness. It appears the north winds have loaded southern slopes near ridges.

Terrain and Travel

Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.