Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
There was a serious avalanche incident today involving ice climbers in the Ranger Creek area. Avoid exposure to all alpine avalanche terrain until this wind induced avalanche cycle goes away. The Ranger Creek drainage will be closed tomorrow.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches occurred today as the snow and winds peaked in the afternoon. Many slopes avalanched, then quickly reloaded and slid again.
There was a significant avalanche incident today involving ice climbers on the Spray Road. Details are limited right now. It involved a sz2 storm snow avalanche in alpine terrain. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain.
Snowpack Summary
We now have a persistent weak layer (Nov 10) that is down about 20-40cm in the alpine, 10cm at treeline. Very little is known about this Nov 10th temperature crust, but it appears to spotty aspect wise, very reactive(slippery) and estimated to be up to 2400m. Windslabs built very quickly today with lots of visible wind transport. Overall snowpack depth and character is largely unknown as it early season. From what we have seen and heard total snow depth varies from 10-60cm. Coverage is very inconsistent with LOTS of hidden hazards.
Weather Summary
Morning lows of -11, temperatures rising to -4 by noon. The winds will continue to be an important factor to consider. They'll be light from the SW, however they'll also be from the SW, but gusting into the moderate range. Maybe a few flurries in the morning, but generally clearing skies as the day goes on.Monday
Flurries will bring another 6-10cm, with increasing winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Slabs formed today during and after the snow and wind event that came through in the early afternoon. These slabs are resting on a crust from a recent warm spell. There is still some uncertainty around this layer's distribution and character, but for now assume it's widespread and slippery. Slabs won't bond well to this layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Winds will continue to load gully features. Avoid steep, confined terrain. Expect these to run far.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2