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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 21st, 2014–Nov 22nd, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Its looking more like winter! However, early season conditions and hazards exist out there. If you have been adventuring in the backcountry, we want your observations. Please send them our way to [email protected].

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Finally, the weather pattern has changed!A Pacific frontal system moves through the Region bringing unsettled conditions with snow amounts up to 10 cm at higher elevations. By Saturday midday we could see and accumulated 10-20 cm. Mountain top winds will initially be strong from the south, switching to the northwest by Saturday afternoon. Freezing levels will remain at valley bottoms. Late Sunday another stormy system will reach the Interior bringing additional snowfall amounts.

Avalanche Summary

Currently there are no recent avalanche reports, however; there is enough snow at higher elevations (treeline and alpine) where certain avalanche problems may exist.

Snowpack Summary

Welcome to winter! Its that time of year where observations are limited and winter has been slow to start. The snowpack is thin and variable, early season conditions and hazards exist. Recent reports North of the region suggest that the total snowpack in the alpine is 80-100 cm, but I suspect less in the Kootenay Boundary. Pockets of wind slab may exist on leeward slopes at upper elevations. New snow near 10 cm has fallen on a series of weak surface crystals (crusts, surface hoar, facets). This new snow may have a poor bond to the previous surfaces. A solid crust that formed early November is buried below the surface around 30-40 cm down in many places at treeline and above. The new snow will hide early season hazards like crevasses, rocks, and stumps and gaining access to upper elevations is extremely challenging.

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.