Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 30th, 2015 3:00PM

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

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

With the inversion winding down, the snow pack is becoming even more settled and "locked in". Remember that "low" hazard still allows for small, human triggered avalanches in isolated areas. They are unlikely, but still possible.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods tomorrow. The dramatic inversion is expected to have passed by tomorrow, however there will still be an imbalance with temperatures to start the day. Daytime highs of -7 in the alpine. With that, freezing level will remain at valley bottom. Winds will be around 35km/hr from the west at ridge top.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new was seen today, however observations were limited to the northern section of the forecast area.

Snowpack Summary

Not a lot of change from yesterday to today. Warm temps today once again cooked the due south aspects. Steep, open terrain and terrain near rocks felt the full effects of the sun. On lower angle slopes the sun wasn't packing as big a punch in terms of making the snow moist. Settlement has all but stopped in the last while. Overall the height of snow lost only 1cm. Surface hoar continues to grow at all elevations. Today it was as large as 20mm in isolated, surface hoar prone (open terrain near a lake) areas. Current snow depths are:Burstall Pass 75cmBurstall Parking 62Highwood Pass 59

Problems

Wind Slabs

With the cooling temperatures these slabs will be even more locked in. With that said, thin areas should still be on one's radar as potential triggering spots. Especially if the terrain is steep or unsupported.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets>

Aspects: North, North East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 1st, 2015 2:00PM