Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 18th, 2016 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Email

Kananaskis.

Getting to where the skiing is can be a bit rugged but there were a few nice turns found on friday (emphasis few).  Ice climbers pay attention as a few loose dry slides were observed running down over routes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A small amount of new snow may fall over the weekend with generally cloudy skies expected.  Winds will increase into the moderate range out of the SW so there may be a bit of new windslabs building in Alpine areas.  Temperature will remain seasonal.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose dry avalanches up to sz 1 running on top of the Nov 12th crust.  No new slab avalanches were noted.

Snowpack Summary

20-25cm of low density snow is overlying the Nov 12th temperature crust.  Isolated windslabs are being observed in Alpine areas along ridgelines but these problems do not extend far downslope.  The snowpack at 2200m is anywhere from 50-60cm but it RAPIDLY tapers with elevation and is still pretty boney in the trees.  The Nov Crust is something that will be with us for the whole season likely so get used to us talking about it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Use caution around ridgelines and in gullied terrain. Slabs do not likely extend far downslope but if something was to start it would be a rough ride. Ice climbers watch for small slabs funnelling down onto a route.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 19th, 2016 2:00PM

Login
Join