Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 15th, 2016 8:10AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Parks Canada chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Many sticks and stones, that will break your bones, are thinly buried by the early season snowpack. The season is just beginning so many dangers lurk near the snow surface.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A short, intense front will move through Rogers Pass today, bringing 10-20cm of snow, moderate S-SW winds, and freezing levels rising to 1700m mid-day. Wednesday will see cooler temp's with scattered flurries.

Snowpack Summary

20-25cm of new snow covers a thin, near-isothermal snowpack. This new snow has seen wind effect, so soft slabs in lee features at tree-line and above are prevalent. Below 2000m, snow depths are less than 70cm with many early season hazards (rocks and trees) lurking at or just below the surface.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 avalanche (24+ hrs), W aspect, tree-line elevation, observed on McGill Shoulder on Monday. The new snow covered the crown line, but it appeared to dig deep in to the isothermal, early season snow pack.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Widespread storm slabs are developing at alpine and treeline elevations. 20-60cm soft slabs can be found in lee features. These sit on a soft crust and may be easier to trigger where the slabs have stiffened due to wind.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
There is enough new snow, in addition to the snow that is currently falling, for loose avalanches to push a person over steep features. Given the thin nature of the early season snowpack, avoiding steep, confined features would be highly recommended.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 16th, 2016 8:00AM