Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 6th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

snow safety,

Strong winds have scoured the alpine and have built wind slabs in certain terrain features.

At tree line and below, early season hazards exist, thinly buried trees, rocks and open creeks require a mindful approach.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy for the first day of the weekend with snow flurries accumulating up to 2cm of new snow. Winds will be 20-40km/hr from the Northeast with temperatures ranging from -12 to -3. Sunday will see a mix of sun and cloud, no new snow, light northerly winds and slightly cooler temps.

Snowpack Summary

The freezing level dropped back to valley bottom on Thursday evening leaving 5-10cm of snow on top of a 3cm supportive crust with moist snow to ground below. The crust dissipates at ~2400m. At tree line the snowpack ranges from 30-60cm deep. Expect 30 to 40cm of recent snow above 2500m with extreme S-SW winds creating wind slabs and new cornices.

Avalanche Summary

Recent natural avalanche activity up to size 2 coming from steep gullies and alpine faces. Suspect the triggers were either cornice failures or wind slabs from previous strong to extreme winds.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Extreme SW winds and new snow Thursday have created wind slabs in open alpine areas. Natural avalanche activity has eased off with the cooler temps, but skiers and climbers will still be able to trigger them and should use caution in steep terrain.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
  • Be careful around wind loaded areas near ridge crests, cross loaded gullies and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 7th, 2020 4:00PM