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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 11th, 2019–Nov 12th, 2019

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

Regions

Kananaskis.

Wind slabs are forming in the Alpine and open areas. Below treeline is still challenging travel due to minimal snow.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday will have mostly flurries that will end Wednesday morning.  Winds will continue to be moderate to strong from the West and diminishing Wednesday afternoon.  Temperatures in the Alpine for Tuesday will be have highs around -7c and lows around -15c.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 slab avalanche was observed on a North aspect of Mt. Murray.

Snowpack Summary

The rain and wet snow that occurred on Friday has squished the snowpack and formed a crust up to 5cm thick at Treeline and below. The recent 10-15cm of snow fell very cold and dry and has a poor bond to this crust.  Winds on Monday have started to move the snow around creating drifting in open areas.  These winds are forecast to continue into Wednesday morning, moving more snow into lee features.  Expect to find wind slabs in lee features, gullies and some open areas.  The snowpack at treeline has an average of 50-80cm, while lower elevations are below threshold for avalanche activity.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.