Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations

THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -7. Freezing level 1000 m.FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -8. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -6 Freezing level 1200 m.

There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity in the region. However observers in Kananaskis Country report reactive, wind slabs on easterly aspects in the alpine producing small avalanches as well as persistent slab activity to Size 2.5 initiating on weak layers at or near the base of the snowpack in the alpine and running to treeline. To the south the deep October layers may be less of concern thanks to the rains from last week however wind slabs at upper elevations are likely to be easily triggered on lee and cross loaded slopes.

There is little to no information regarding snowpack structure within the region. It is suspected however, that the upper snowpack consists of 10-50 cm of recent storm snow above a series of crusts, the most recent being the November 26 crust which is likely to be found up to 2550m elevation. Below this is a thin layer of low density snow then the November 23 crust which also suspected to exists to about 2450 m elevation. A third crust from late October (October 31) can likely be found around mid-pack depths and is believed to be approximately 5-10 cm thick with a layer of weak, sugary snow crystals above and below. This October 31 "crust/facet combo" has been identified as a failure layer in recent avalanche reports from the Kananaskis area to the north will likely remain a concern for northern regions of the South Rockies as well. Finally the early season early October rain crust lies near the base of the snowpack with 10-20 cm of facets below.