Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Oct 2nd, 2019–Oct 3rd, 2019

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Glacier.

Winter has arrived. Recent cold temperatures and snowfall has quickly changed the mountains from summer into winter. Alpine areas have enough snow to produce avalanches and early season keeners should be prepared.

Weather Forecast

The autumn parade of frontal systems are in full swing, with showery weather interspersed with the occasional sunny day. Check the Avalanche Canada weather blog for updates on mountain weather, as well as the Environment Canada site for Revelstoke and Golden.

Snowpack Summary

The early season snowpack is starting to accumulate in the alpine. Roughly 60-80cm of snow can be found above 3000m, but it dwindles quickly as you lose elevation (40cm at 2500m, 5cm at 2100m) as of Oct 2, 2019. Snowpack depths are not conducive to skiing at Rogers Pass yet, even on high alpine glaciers.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose avalanches to sz 2 were observed from Sir Donald's SW face on Oct 1. Summer trails that access alpine zones are now susceptible to overhead hazards like avalanches or rockfall generated by large sluffs. Perley Rock, Abbott, and the Sir Donald trails could all see falling material (snow or rock) with strong solar input or storms.

Confidence

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.