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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 28th, 2021–Nov 29th, 2021

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Very poor avalanche conditions at the moment. With continued snow and rain, expect the avalanche hazard to remain high. Avoid travel in avalanche terrain.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Snow and rain will taper tonight and stop by the 4 or 5am. The freezing level is all over the place right now, so predicting rain or snow is tricky. According to the forecast, we will get 4-6 cm yet. Temperatures will fall as the storm blows itself out, which is a good thing. The snowpack will refreeze and tighten up. Alpine winds will drop from extreme, but still be strong and from the west. 

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle occurred today. Visibility was limited, but sizes were up to sz3 and running full path. 

Snowpack Summary

Rain and wet snow was the theme of the day. We had reports of rain as high as 2500m for a short period. Any snow that came in, came in wet and heavy with winds. Windslabs developed very quickly, which did trigger a natural cycle. At the moment, we are unsure of the crust's condition and reactivity, but its hard to think it would be anything other than stressed and touchy. At the time of writing this, it was still raining in the Bow Valley and Spray Road. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.