Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 30th, 2017 3:00PM

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

Alberta Parks KESAdmin, Alberta Parks

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Kananaskis.

Highwood pass has now closed for the season! Natural avalanche activity has ceased but still use caution for recent windslabs that were building in alpine areas.  In thin areas you may trigger the basal weakness. MK

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures are forecast for Friday and winds are forecast to be light to moderate out of the SW.  No significant precip is expected over the next few days. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations were seen in the past 24hrs. 

Snowpack Summary

Windslab can be found in alpine terrain up to 40cm thick along ridelines and in cross loaded features.  These problems are most easily found on N and E aspects.  The "Midpack" consists of a series of crusts from rain events in november.  These crusts are down 50 and 80cm but so far, no results have been observed on these layers.  Deeper down the October Halloween crust has been producing Hard sudden collapse results.  Thin areas will be the most likely areas where a skier may be able to trigger this weakness so heads up for thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Expect windslabs in lee and cross loaded gullies. These problems are easy to locate in the alpine and more isolated and harder to find at treeline areas.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
The new crusts are preventing the deeper layers from disturbance. Remember, in shallow areas it is still possible to trigger the deeper layers.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 1st, 2017 2:00PM

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