Avalanche Forecast

Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks

Date issued

Nov 2, 2017 - 3:00 PM

Valid until

until further notice

Prepared by

matt.mueller

We are reluctant to use ratings due to our limited field observations and lack of reliable snowpack information. Having said that, the current avalanche problems deserve attention and caution in certain terrain features. Choose terrain wisely.

Danger Ratings
Problems
Details

Early Season Conditions

Insufficient observations exist to reliably rate the avalanche danger. Expect shallow snow cover with thinly buried rocks and trees just beneath the surface. Avalanche danger often concentrates in gullies and other deposition areas, where windslabs may bond poorly to a weak underlying base. Deeper snow usually exists at higher elevations.

More Early Season Details

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

What Elevation?

Which Slopes?

Chances of Avalanches?

Expected Size?

These will be limited to gullies and other terrain features that held wind deposited snow from previous storms. Pole probing will help locate these deeper snow pack areas.

Travel and Terrain Advice

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Be very cautious with gully features.

Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry

What Elevation?

Which Slopes?

Chances of Avalanches?

Expected Size?

This will be a problem in steep terrain. Early season Ice climbers should watch for sluffing.

Travel and Terrain Advice

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing noted

Snowpack Summary

Prior to this current storm, we had 10-20cm of wind blown snow that began to fill gullies and alpine bowls. This most recent snow now sits on either bare ground, or these previously wind deposited gully and bowl features. Recent winds have been mostly from the north, expect storm slabs on SE to SW aspects. Sheltered areas and confined gullies are capable of loose dry sluffs at the moment.

Weather Forecast

Snow is expected to continue. Another 5-10cm is expected in the forecast region by late day Friday. Winds will be light from the N-NW. Temps will drop to -20 on friday, and rise slightly to -15 by saturday.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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