Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2013 8:21AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Storm snow will add additional load to the shallow snow pack

Summary

Weather Forecast

A series of Pacific lows with high winds will move through the area in the next few days. Although the timing is unclear from the models, by Saturday evening the area may have received up to 50mm of precipitation followed by an arctic outbreak for the beginning of the next week.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported to date. Expect wind slabs to develop during the storm. Additional loading may overload the weak layer 20 cm from the surface and/or the crust near the bottom of the snow pack.

Snowpack Summary

At the beginning of this storm cycle the snow pack was little more than a metre at 1000 M. elevation with two identifiable weak layers at 20cm and 90 cm from the surface. New snow will load the existing snow pack and may produce avalanche activity on these layers. Surface storm slabs are expected to develop during the storm cycle due to forecast high winds and new snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

A layer @ 20cm from the surface as well as a crust layer 90 cm down may become reactive with the increased load from the new storm snow. In addition, forecast high winds accompanying the storm will produce wind slabs at tree line and in the alpine.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.>Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2013 2:00PM