Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 25th, 2014 7:15AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

jeremy.mackenzie, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Avalanche hazard will rise with significant snowfall (40cm+) and strong winds over the next three days. It's time to turn on the "avalanche brain" again after a pretty slow start to the winter snowpack thus far.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Light precipitation will begin on Wednesday with accumulations near 8 to 10cm. Thursday should see a more significant pulse of snow with total snowfall amounts near 15 to 20cm. Winds will increase up to 60km/h out of the SW on Thursday and temperatures for the next couple of days will be seasonal before cooling off significantly on Friday.

Avalanche Summary

Very isolated small sluffs were observed in steep alpine terrain today.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow fell in areas close to the continental divide with only about 6cm in the valley floor. This snow appears to have arrived with little to no wind effect. This snow sits on a wide variety of previous surfaces including facets, surface hoar, hard slab and rock/dirt. The November rain crust sitting approximately 20cm above the ground will be a layer to watch.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Fresh slabs will develop as the storm pushes through on Wednesday and Thursday. The sensitivity of theses slabs will be highly dependent on what surface lies underneath (and there are a lot of different ones!). Keep an eye on this interface.

Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are still visible.>Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Recent snow and a storm forecasted for the next few days will cause an increase in loose dry avalanche activity. Be aware of overhead hazard.

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 26th, 2014 2:00PM