Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 17th, 2012 8:52AM

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

Parks Canada jim phillips, Parks Canada

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Summary

Weather Forecast

A frontal system arriving in the interior today expecting around 8mm of precipitation, rising freezing levels, light winds at treeline but strong SW winds in the alpine (50 to 80km/h). A second system follows in its wake on Sunday and into Monday.

Snowpack Summary

80cm to 110cm of snow in sheltered areas at tree line. The November crust is down 45cm. Wind slabs have been observed in the alpine and exposed areas at tree line over the past week.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 loose natural avalanche observed in the highway corridor running 1/2 path on Mt Tupper.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Light winds and very little snow have kept conditions the same. Soft windslabs still exist up to 50 cm deep formed during periods of strong wind on Nov 13 in open exposed areas. These have proven to be sensitive to human triggering.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Nov 18th, 2012 8:00AM