Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 23rd, 2021 4:00PM

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

Timothy Johnson,

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After a brief lull in the the weather on Wednesday, strong winds and precipitation will return on Thursday increasing the avalanche hazard.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Clear periods.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 C.

Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -11 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20-40 km/h.

Thursday: Flurries.

Accumulation: 8 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 C, High -7 C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Previous strong SW winds stripped all aspects in the alpine. New snow with warm temperatures and moderate winds have likely create new wind slabs. Above freezing temperature to 2000m will likely result in a future crust. A 1-2cm thick crust 80cm down is found up to 2500m. Below this crust are more crusts or facets depending on elevation.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Monday.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Even though the winds have died down there are lurking windslabs  from previous winds in lee and cross loaded features. 

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
  • Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

60-80cm of storm snow from Nov 13-15th has settled over a series of crusts and weak snow crystals at the base of the snowpack.

  • Avoid thin rocky or unsupported terrain features.
  • Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2021 4:00PM

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