Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2012 9:48AM

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

Avalanche Canada triley, Avalanche Canada

This bulletin is based on limited data. Local variations in conditions are likely to exist. Check out the forecasters blog for further details on interpreting early season bulletins. 

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Thursday:  A system approaching fast from the Pacific will bring moderate to strong precipitation starting in the afternoon. Winds are expected to be strong from the South and the freezing level will rise to 1000 m. as the front is moving across the region. Friday and Saturday: Lighter precipitations are expected through Friday and Saturday and winds should also be lighter from the SouthWest. Freezing levels will lower somewhat to get closer to valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

There has been no new avalanche reported in the region but if you have any avalanche observation to report, please send us an email. A report from the Hankin-Evelyn area at the beginning of the month included a small human-triggered slab avalanche starting from a thin rock area. The slab was approximately 20 cm deep and 8 m wide, ran full path with 70 cm of deposition in the runout.

Snowpack Summary

Snow depth varying  from 60 in the Northern part of the region to 100 cm in the Southern part of the region. Weather stations around the region recorded around 10 cm of new snow in the last 24 hours. With the heavy precipitation forecasted in some parts of the region and the strong winds blowing from the South, we expect new windslabs to form on top of that 10 cm layer in the alpine and treeline on the Northerly aspects.  It is likely that these 2 layers will take some time to bond and that avalanches could be triggered naturally or by additional light loads such as a person.  The information is limited to produce our avalanche bulletins at this time of the year, so any information you have about the snowpack, please communicate with us by email.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
People triggering avalanches is possible on open exposed slopes below ridge crests and behind terrain features, and in cross-loaded gullies.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2012 2:00PM