Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 19th, 2013 3:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Snowfall on Tuesday has given a boost to ski conditions but at the same time it has raised the stakes with the addition of more cohesive storm slabs. Wind action will make these slabs more susceptible to skier triggering over the next few days.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Cold overnight with lows to -20. Some clear periods overnight and winds on Wednesday in the moderate to strong range again. Daytime highs only around -17 degrees.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry sluffs could be seem emanating from steep rocky terrain on the fringes of the forecast area as the skies cleared but no new obs were made in the core forecast area due to obscured skies.

Snowpack Summary

Variable thickness 4F- 1F storm slabs have formed along ridgelines and in other lee features. Windward slopes are being quickly stripped bare and cornice growth has been enhanced with the combo of new snow and wind.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Deeper and more cohesive storm slabs will continue to develop in Alpine/TL terrain with recent snow and winds. Winds are forecasted to continue to be in the moderate to strong range over the next 24-48 hours so we expect further slab development .

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Watch for loose dry sluffing out of steeper terrain. Now that greater amounts of snow are on the ground it will be even more important for Ice climbers to be aware of overhead terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 20th, 2013 2:00PM