Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2.5
Continued winds and warmer temps will be forming slabs in most open areas. Recent skier triggered event indicate this later has potential for triggering.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapKananaskis
Nov 18 – 19, 2020Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 6 years ago
Avalanche danger
Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
10-13 cm of snow is forecast overnight with moderate winds out of the west. The big concern right now is all the new and buried windslabs at treeline and above.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Low -
Weather Forecast
10-12cm of snow is forecast to fall overnight with temperatures cooling. Winds will continue to be moderate to strong out of the west with temperatures in the -8C range.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Wednesday but observations were limited.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10cm of snow fell overnight an throughout the day on Wednesday but the big thing was the warm temperatures and light rain overnight on Tuesday. The freezing level was around 2300m with moist snow below this level. When this freezes we will likely have another crust to deal with at and around treeline. Windslabs are widespread in alpine areas and at treeline due to strong winds Tuesday and Wednesday. So pay close attention as you move into wind affected areas for that drummy feeling. Two recent skier triggered avalanches this week are a good indication that this layer is prone to human triggering.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.