Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 24th, 2018 3:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A slight warming trend is expected sunday night. Likely not a problem, but warm air in combination with clear skies may increase the hazard.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Minus 13 overnight with light westerly winds. Daytime highs will rise to -8 on sunday. No snow for the next few days. Some forecasts call for cloud, while others are calling for sun tomorrow. Time will tell...

Avalanche Summary

A few minor sluffs out of steep terrain, only involved the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

Slightly more snow came in last night than was forecasted. It looked as though the alpine winds were strong enough to create fresh windslabs. In some areas, these will sit on the older windslabs. No indication yet if the bond between the two is suspect. The new snow means that the spotty surface hoar from earlier in the week is now buried. Again, not a problem because the burial depth is not very deep. Other than that no significant change to the snowpack. Below treeline is still below threshold for any avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind slabs near ridge lines, lee features and cross loaded gullies. Ice climbers watch for these above and between pitches on routes.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This crust is mostly found on or near the ground. This layer has not been active lately, but there is potential for slab avalanches on this layer given the current snowpack structure.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 25th, 2018 2:00PM