Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2015 3:00PM

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

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Good travel conditions for the bigger tours right now, but remember the days are short. High freezing levels will very likely lead to loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects. Be cautious with wind slabs in shallow snowpack areas.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Conditions for Sunday are expected to be clear and sunny, very light winds and warm temperatures at upper elevations (freezing levels between 2700 and 2800m). A temperature inversion is expected to persist through to Monday.

Avalanche Summary

Very little avalanche activity has been observed over the past 72 hours. Very isolated pin-wheeling occurred in the afternoon on steep solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar formation observed on sheltered northerly aspects and in dark, shady spots such as canyons and creek beds. The snowpack continues to settle due to mild daytime temperatures at upper elevations. Moist snow is found on steep solar aspects at Treeline and above, which is re-freezing into a crust overnight. Conditions in the Alpine range from scoured scree to dense wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded features, particularly near ridgelines. These wind slabs have been quite stubborn to trigger, but steep areas with shallow snowpack conditions remain a area of concern for triggering.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Dense wind slabs dominate Alpine areas and extend into open terrain at Treeline. Recently these wind slabs have been stubborn to trigger, but steep terrain with shallow snowpack characteristics are potential trigger points to be wary of.

Avoid cross loaded features.>Avoid unsupported slopes.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

As temperatures warm up expect to encounter loose wet avalanches on solar aspects out of steeper terrain. A weak freeze at upper elevations could lead to a more rapid rise in this type of avalanche activity on Sunday.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2015 2:00PM