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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 19th, 2020–Nov 20th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Kananaskis.

15-25cm of snow over the past few days is adding load to the November crust down 30-50cm. This and new windslabs due to moderate variable winds are giving us a complex early season snowpack.  

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Steady light snowfalls will continue over the next few days but accumulations will be minimal. Temperatures will be more seasonal around -10C over the next few days with winds continuing in the moderate range mainly out of the SW.

Avalanche Summary

No new slab avalanche activity but a few loose dry avalanche out of steep terrain up to sz 1.5 were observed. 

Snowpack Summary

20-25cm of snow has fallen over the past 48hrs with variable winds at the upper elevations. WIndslabs in the upper snowpack are evident in alpine areas and there is also a layer of weak facets overlying the November rain crust that is producing moderate sudden planar failures down 30-40cm. Thin areas persist where triggerring the facets overlying the november crust may be easier and also the chance of clipping a rock or tree at lower elevations are very real as its still pretty thin. The crust is being found up to 2550m and is carrying a skeirs weight well. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for windslabs in alpine areas in the upper snowpack. Gullies and ridgelines are common areas to find these issues. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A weak facet layer overlying the November crust is producing moderate results down 30-60cm. This will be a problem for some time. Moderate sudden planar results are benig observed on this layer indicating that it is within the range of human triggerring.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5