Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2018 3:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Watch for pockets of hard windslabs in alpine terrain and in gullied areas.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Forecasts are calling for light snow beginning later in the day on Thursday and temperatures in the -4 daytime high range.Â Total precip amount are only forecast to be around 5cm of new snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed.Â

Snowpack Summary

Not much is changing out there right now.Â Surface hoar is developing on the surface of the snowpack up to treeline to 4mm.Â Pockets of hard slab should be expected in gullied features and in the alpine along ridgelines.Â Overall the snowpack is shallow and facetted and lower than normal for this time of year.Â The Oct 26th crust is our prime layer of concern down 30-50cm.Â

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This crust is mostly found on or near the ground. This layer has not been active lately, but there is potential for slab avalanches on this layer given the current snowpack structure.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs near ridge lines, lee features and cross loaded gullies. Ice climbers be able for these concerns above and between pitches on routes.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2018 2:00PM