Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 2nd, 2012 4:00PM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Chinook conditions are expected to occur this weekend so its going to get warm and windy! Ice climbers, keep an eye on overhead terrain. Sluffs can quickly grow to a big size and knock you over.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Chinook conditions expected to occur this weekend. Expect to see winds increase into the strong range throughout the day on Saturday peaking in the evening. Very little precipitation is expected with this event.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches up to size 2 occurred with the rain and wind event on Thursday Nov 1st.

Snowpack Summary

Recent rains have created a breakable rain crust up to 2350m in areas along the divide. Further east out towards Highwood pass and the Rae Glacier, this crust extends to higher elevations.

Problems

Loose Dry

Several naturally triggered sluffs have been observed on steep N and E aspects in the alpine. Be aware of overhead terrain and avoid gully features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Isolated pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep are present in lee and cross loaded features in the alpine. Gully features are particularly concerning.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 3rd, 2012 9:00AM