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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 20th, 2020–Nov 21st, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Kananaskis.

Light snow and strong north winds have created pockets of reverse loaded windslabs. Recognizing the variable depth snowpack is critical right now. Both of our avalanche problems will be worse in thin areas. 

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A few scattered flurries tonight won't offer much for new snow. A bit of morning cloud will break up by 11am and hopefully offer some blue skies. Temperatures will be consistent at about -7. Alpine winds will be around 40-50km/hr from the west.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 on an east facing, high alpine slope near Mt Lawson. It was about a meter deep and ran a couple hundred meters. 

Snowpack Summary

We continue to get small, but continuous new snow fall. At the moment there is about 10cm of new snow from the last few days. The north winds today have redistributed it into a more variable pattern. We are seeing anywhere from 20-50cm on top of the crust. With that, snow depth also varies dramatically. Rolls in the terrain are very thin, while concave areas are 90cm deep. The crust is very apparent, down 50 in today's profile. In some areas there is a slippery facet layer above it and in others it is well bonded with surface layers. Ground cover seems to be the link here. Rocky/gravel areas have a more pronounced facet layer. And it wouldn't be a snow pack structure summary without the mention of our ever-present wind slabs. These are concerning near ridges and immediate lee areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for windslabs in alpine areas in the upper snowpack. Gullies and ridgelines are common areas to find these issues. 

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This is becoming an issue in variable depth areas, especially in the rocky alpine areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3