Avalanche Forecast
South Rockies
Watch for wind loaded and cross loaded slopes at higher elevations. We suspect there are weak layers near the base of the snowpack that have the potential to produce large avalanches if triggered by a wind slab release.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. New snow and wind loading may have created wind slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
There are several crusts now buried within the snowpack. Be extra caution in thin snowpack areas where it may be possible to trigger these layers and assume that a release near the surface may also have the potential to step-down to a deeper layer.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Avalanche Summary
There have been no reports of avalanche activity in the region since last week's natural, wet cycle during the big rain event. To the north however, Kananaskis Country reports persistent slab activity to Size 2.5 initiating on layers at or near the base of the snowpack in the alpine and running to treeline. While natural avalanche activity has tapered off with a return to cooler temperatures and lower freezing levels, new snow and wind are creating wind slabs in alpine lee areas and the possibility of a slab release stepping down to a deeper layer within the snowpack still exists.
Snowpack Summary
As much as 10-15 cm of new snow has fallen on the most recent November rain crust at 2200 m and above while the valley bottoms saw rain. There is little information regarding snowpack structure however snowpack depths are believed to vary from 40-60 cm at 1800 m elevation, to 80-100 cm near 2300 m. Several crusts are suspected to exist within the snowpack including the most recent November crust down 10-15 cm. Below this crust lies the Halloween crust as well as the early October rain crust at the base of the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong west wind. Alpine temperature -10. Freezing level 1000 m.
THURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5cm. Moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -10. Freezing level 1000 m.
FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy. Moderate gusting to strong west wind. Alpine temperature --8. Freezing level 900 m.
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Watch for signs of wind-transported, "pillowy" snow on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.