Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 29th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
timothy johnson,
Extreme winds have scoured the alpine to rock on windward slopes. The best snow for skiing can be found in sheltered locations at tree line and below.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Parker Ridge Area:
Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High 2 °C. Ridge wind west: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
On going extreme SW winds are stripping snow from windward slopes in the alpine and sending it to Saskatchewan. Soft snow can still be found in specific sheltered locations at tree line and below. Snow depth at the Bald Hills at tree line is around 80cm with the Nov 4 crust down 50cm and breaking down. The snowpack is supportive to skis.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Sunday in the Bald Hills Zone. On Saturday explosive control at Parkers slabs resulted in two size 2.5 avalanches from the wind loaded storm snow. A few other thin slabs were noted in steep alpine terrain.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Extreme SW winds in the alpine is scouring windward slopes. Be cautious of local wind influences where reverse or cross loading may have occurred.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Watch for Wind Slabs low on slopes, and in usually sheltered terrain, due to previous extreme winds.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The Nov. 4 is down about 50cm at tree line (2000m) and breaking down. Be careful around "thin to thick" areas where deep slabs could be triggered.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 30th, 2020 4:00PM
