Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 28th, 2016–Nov 29th, 2016

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Glacier.

Buried wind slabs are lurking under our new snow. Avoid steep convex unsupported terrain, limit your exposure to overhead hazards.

Weather Forecast

A dirty ridge of high pressure is moving over us today with a mixed bag of weather. Expect clouds, sun, flurries and light winds. FL staying below the pass today with alp temps hovering around -8c.

Snowpack Summary

Between 50 and 100cm of storm snow now overlies the Nov 13th Crust. Previous strong winds from the Southerly quarter have created wind slabs and cornices. Wind slabs could be hiding under more recently fallen snow and there is a temp/sun crust lurking around 30cm deep on solar asp, but spotty in distribution.

Avalanche Summary

In the Highway corridor on the N asp of Mt Mcdonald we had several avalanches yesterday, mostly size 2 and one size 3. From the backcountry we observed small thin (5cm deep) slab avalanches on N asp and loose dry to size 1.5 running far. The same was observed on Ursus Minor area, and numerous avalanches heard off steep terrain on Mt Cheops

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds, convective flurries and new snow has created wind slabs on lee features. These wind slabs may be triggered by light loads. Highly variable snow depth should be expected in the alpine from wind redistribution.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Snowpack settlement is resulting in slab formation over the Nov 13 crust. Field tests on the crust and a stellar layer just above indicate the slab, depending on location, may have a poor bond and be susceptible to human triggering.

Choose regroup spots carefully.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3