Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 4th, 2020–Nov 5th, 2020

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

First significant storm of the season approaching. Warm temps, rapid loading and strong winds will likely cause an avalanche cycle.  

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A warm and wet system is fast approaching the region and should arrive by Wednesday night/early Thursday morning. 30-50cm of snow is expected along with strong SW winds and freezing levels around 2000m. This will likely be our first avalanche cycle of the season.  

Avalanche Summary

Some recent loose wet slides from steep solar areas especially in thin rocky terrain. 

Snowpack Summary

Observations are still very limited but there expect a melt freeze crust on all aspects up to 2300m and on solar aspects right up to the peaks. Lower elevations below treeline are still below threshold in most areas but as you approach treeline 40-80cm of snow can be found and some areas are stripped right down to bare rock due to the strong winds from last week. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.

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.