Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 14th, 2018–Nov 15th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

Watch for an increasing avalanche danger over the next 48hrs as the latest Pacific storm front hits. A plethora of early season hazards await the unwary.

Weather Forecast

A pulse of Pacific moisture will unload on Glacier Park over the next 2 days bringing upwards of 30cm of storm snow by Thursday evening. Moderate to strong SW winds will accompany the storm. Freezing levels are forecast to be in the 1400-1500m level.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of storm snow now buries a surface hoar layer above 1900m in the Connaught drainage. Snow depths vary from 40cm at Rogers Pass, to 130-150cm in alpine areas. Sheltered areas at and above TL have unconsolidated snow. Expect patches of windslab along lee features. A melt-freeze crust can be found in the bottom 50cm of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches recorded or reported in the last 24hrs.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The late October crust sits near the bottom of the snowpack and is producing sudden planar and sudden collapse results. Assess this layer before committing to a line. At higher elevations a buried facet layer exists from the September snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Use caution when entering new terrain along rigeline lee slopes and on cross-loaded alpine features. Pockets of wind slabs may be hidden by the recent 10-15cm of low density storm snow.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Storm Slabs

A freshly buries surface hoar layer at and above treeline will be worth watching as storm snow load builds on it over the next two days. It is currently unknown how widespread this layer is on the landscape.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2