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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 17th, 2021–Nov 18th, 2021

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Quite varied conditions out there. Below tree line has barely enough snow to travel. Wind slabs have been observed at tree line and into the alpine.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Thursday morning in the alpine will start off around -15c along with a mix of sun and cloud. Clouds and light flurries for the afternoon with daytime high of -10c. Winds will be moderate from the SW.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control was done on Wednesday on the Canmore Hill and the upper bowls produce a few size 2 slabs (wind slabs). 

Snowpack Summary

The forecasters did avalanche control on Wednesday and noticed a lot of wind effect in the alpine. Currently 50-70cm of 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.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.