Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 29th, 2015–Nov 30th, 2015

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Sunshine and a strong temperature inversion with above freezing temperatures at 2000m. Expect an increasing avalanche danger especially on alpine solar aspects.

Weather Forecast

Sunshine and a strong temperature inversion in the alpine should be expected today. Temperatures have been above freezing since mid-day Friday at around the 2000m level. Light northerly winds will not reduce these warming effects significantly. Clear skies in the alpine are expected to dominate until mid week.

Snowpack Summary

Reverse loading from earlier strong northerly winds have created windslab along the immediate lee on alpine solar aspects. These slabs reside on suncrusts on steep solar aspects (S-SW) and surface hoar on other aspects. Surface hoar was observed up to 1700m with moist surface snow from 1900m to 2200m due to the above freezing temps.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1.5-2.0 avalanches were observed in the highway corridor yesterday. Point release activity was occurring on steeper solar aspects yesterday triggered by above freezing temperatures

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Reverse loading from northerly winds has formed windslabs on southerly aspects.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

A strong temperature inversion at and above treeline today may result in point release activity on solar aspects.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak facet layer resides at the base of the snowpack on alpine N-NE aspects. Several large avalanches have occurred on this layer including the Bruin's ridge skier triggered slide earlier this month.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 4