Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 4th, 2017 3:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

KESAdmin, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

It is time to carry avalanche safety gear when heading out into the mountains. Our field observations are limited, but the current avalanche problems deserve attention.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be mostly overcast with cool temps ranging between -17 and -11 Celsius. Winds will be generally light from the SE. Cool temperatures will prevail for at least the start of the week.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches today, but observations were very limited.

Snowpack Summary

The early season snowpack is still very shallow with lots of buried hazards. Snow depths at 2200m range from 30 to 60cm deep. 10 to 20cm of more recent snow overlies a crust formed in late October. This crust sits about 25cm above the ground and in some areas it is supportive to skier traffic. At higher elevations wind slabs are present and may be sensitive to human triggering in steeper terrain. Watch for these slabs just below ridge crests and in gully features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs immediately below ridge-crests and in gully features.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Be very cautious with gully features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

This will be a problem in steep terrain. Early season ice climbers should watch for sluffing.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.