Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Kananaskis.
A surprising lack of winds throughout most of the forecast area on Saturday. Pockets of windslabs can be found along ridge-crests and in cross-loaded feature so be cautious. There is LOTS of early seasons hazards out there showing right now...
Confidence
Good
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will remain cool on Sunday and thankfully the winds will remain generally light. We may see a few cm of new snow fall throughout the day but little accumulation is expected over the next 24hrs.
Avalanche Summary
A few new small loose dry avalanches on N aspects. 2 size 2.5 slab avalanches on Mt Murray initiating in steep N and NE alpine terrain running to the middle of their normal run-out's.
Snowpack Summary
Little change. Upper snowpack continues to settle under influence of mild temperatures. Sheers within the upper snow pack are beginning to settle and strengthen. November Rain crust down 30-70cm depending on area (see Tent Ridge profile). Lots of variability in snowpack depths throughout the region at this time.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.