Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
More wind slabs were formed on Monday. Lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine should be avoided. Wind slabs are sitting on a very weak layer.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wind slabs and loose dry avalanches occurred Saturday November 11 up to size 2.0. Many slopes avalanched, then quickly reloaded and slid again. While natural activity tapered on Sunday, avalanche control in an alpine basin with N and E aspects produced numerous size 2.0 avalanches.
A fatal avalanche occurred on Saturday involving ice climbers on the Spray Road. A size 2.0 naturally trigged slab avalanche failed in alpine terrain, ran over a cliff and caught two people in a terrain trap. Unfortunately one person did not survive.
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 be spotty aspect wise, very reactive(slippery) and estimated to be up to 2400m. Wind slabs built very quickly Saturday with lots of visible wind transport. An additional 5-10cm fell on Monday with moderate SW, gusting to strong winds have only added to the wind slab problem. Overall snowpack depth and character is largely unknown as it is 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
Tuesday will be mainly sunny with 40-50km/h winds from the West. Freezing level is forecast at 1400m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
An additional 5-10cm snow fell on Monday with moderate to strong SW winds. Wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain are found in Alpine features. These slabs are resting on a crust from a recent warm spell. Slabs won't bond well to this crust layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - 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, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2