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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 23rd, 2015–Nov 24th, 2015

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

Regions

South Columbia.

There is quite a bit of variability in the snowpack structure across the region with different weak layers existing in different areas. Take the time to look in the snow and submit any observations from your day riding to the MIN.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Total snowfall from this storm should range between 5 and 30cm with the northern portion of the forecast region receiving the most snowfall. Moderate to Strong SW winds are expected to continue through Monday evening. Very cold air descending from the Arctic will lead to clearing skies and cold temperatures for the next few days. For detailed mountain weather information visit avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

We're working with limited observations but there haven't been any reports of recent avalanche activity. However, the avalanche cycle that occurred during and immediately after last weeks storm produced some large natural avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Total snowfall from Monday's storm should be between 5 and 30 cm which is coming to rest on a wide variety of old surfaces including crust, surface hoar and old settled snow.  Moderate to strong SW winds likely continue to form pockets of wind slab on east and northeast aspects. A couple of persistent weak layers exist in our early season snowpack.  Where they exist, they are likely to be found buried down 65 to 120 cm. Depending on where you dig, you might also find one or more crusts. It would be wise to test these layers before committing to a slope. Facets can be found at the bottom of the snowpack at higher elevations in the alpine, especially on northerly aspects. Rocks and stumps may be lurking unseen just below the surface.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.