Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 24th, 2016 7:48AM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Storm snow and strong SW winds in the next 36 hours will increase avalanche danger. Be aware of changing conditions.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries are expected today with the main bulk of the storm bringing 25-30cm tonight and early Friday morning. Freezing levels should remain below 1300m with moderate to strong SW winds. Saturday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, freezing levels remaining around 1300m.

Snowpack Summary

This past week 70cm of snow fell at 1900m and is settling into a slab, which sits on the November 13 crust. Tests on this interface, and a stellar crystal layer above, indicate that in some areas the slab may have a poor bond and could be triggered by a person. Pockets of windslab are present in the immediate lee of alpine and ridge-top features.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported from yesterday.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Southerly winds have loaded lee slopes with pockets of windslab and built new, touchy soft cornices.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Below the light and powdery surface snow a slab is developing, and it sits on a hard crust. Recent tests have shown that this interface is becoming one to watch. With the forecast storms expect it to be increasingly reactive.

Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.Choose regroup spots that are out of avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 25th, 2016 8:00AM