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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 15th, 2021–Nov 16th, 2021

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Kananaskis.

Well there we have it. A massive snow storm where more rain then snow fell.... The spray road is HORRENDOUS travel currently. Continue posting MIN reports, it helps us get a handle on the snowpack in the entire region.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

The storm continues to pound away up on the spray. With Burstall pass area receiving the most precip amounts. This has fallen as rain & snow. We expect to see up to 30 cm more snow tonight. The temperatures will begin to plummet to -15 and the winds to continue to blow over 140km/h out of the North West!!!

Avalanche Summary

1 size 1.5 loose dry avalanche observed today out of hero knob area North east aspect. Not running far

Snowpack Summary

Rain saturated! Limited data is available so far this season as forecasters haven't been out due to low snow amounts and challenging travel. Currently 50-70cm of WET snow is at treeline with a temperature crust related to recent rains 10-20cm off the ground. We don't have a firm grasp on how high this crust goes at this time due to limited field observations. Windslabs are being reported in alpine areas along ridgelines and crossloaded features. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.

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.