Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 27th, 2015 8:14AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Warming forecast for the next few days will increase the Avalanche Danger, especially at higher elevations. Special thanks to the folks in Nelson and Kootenay Pass for their awesome MIN reports. You rock!

Summary

Weather Forecast

The dry ridge of high pressure will continue to bring clear skies and valley fog to the region until at least Monday. Above 1800m, temperatures could reach 5.0' celsius while below-freezing temperatures will persist in the valleys. Ridgetop winds should remain mainly light from the northeast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. With warming forecast for the next few days, I expect a round of loose wet avalanche activity on steep, sun-exposed slopes .

Snowpack Summary

At treeline elevations, the snowpack appears to typically be 1-1.5m deep. Current snow surfaces likely include a mix of stubborn wind slabs in exposed terrain, loose faceted snow in sheltered areas and (depending on the time of day) moist snow or a re-frozen crust on steep solar aspects. There is a thick crust from early-November in the middle of the snowpack. The limited reports we have received suggest that this crust is well bonded but you should investigate the snowpack in your local area before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Unseasonably warm temperatures and sun will increase the chances of loose wet avalanche activity on steep, sun-exposed slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>

Aspects: North.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Continued warm temperatures should help decrease the reactivity of recently formed wind slabs. Watch for triggering in steep, unsupported terrain, especially in spots where a hard underlying crust exists.

If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information. >Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 28th, 2015 2:00PM