Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 14th, 2016–Nov 15th, 2016

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.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

15-20cm of new snow and cooler temps have helped the early season ski conditions. Watch for the lurking early season hazards in thin areas.

Weather Forecast

Flurries are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday with total accumulations of 5-10cm. Cooler temperatures and light to moderate SW to West winds with a slight clearing trend near the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of new snow at treeline in most of the forecast area accompanied by moderate to strong SW to NW winds forming new wind slabs at higher elevations and building new cornices. This new snow sits on the Nov 12 crust which is present on all but high elevation N aspects. Below this is a well settled snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Sluffing in steep terrain and some skier triggered wind slabs on the November 12 crust up to size 1.5 were reported Monday in the local ski areas.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

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.