Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 15th, 2012 8:11AM

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

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Still early season conditions out there at this time. Watch for rocks, stumps and trees throughout the area. The only "good" skiing will be found in Alpine terrain but getting to and from these areas is challenging.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Warm temps and chinook flow to continue for another 24-48hrs. Up to 10cm of new snow is forecast for Saturday evening but forecasts still have strong SW winds during this time. Avalanche danger will be slow to change until we get the next major storm.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations over the past 24hrs.

Snowpack Summary

Little change over the past few 24hrs. Few cms of snow along the divide but the strong SW continued to redistribute this snow onto lee features building persistent slabs. Nov 6th crust is now down 30-50cm at treeline elevations. Still minimal snowcover at lower elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep are present in lee and cross loaded features in the alpine. Lots of bare scoured rock is evident from the strong SW flow over the past 24hrs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Ice climbers should be wary of pockets of slabs between pitches and along the approach or descents. Watch for "Drummy" sounds or cracking on approaches or between pitches on routes.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Nov 16th, 2012 8:00AM