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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 17th, 2015–Nov 18th, 2015
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Avalanche control planned for Sunshine tonight, Bosworth, and Mt. Stephen on Wednesday. Depending on results we may also do Simpson, Whymper, and clean up on Sunshine. Please no recreational activities in these areas on Wednesday.

Weather Forecast

The cold front passes by midnight: the snow should end, temperatures continue to drop, and winds should taper.  For Wednesday, expect isolated flurries and lighter winds from the W  gusting to 50 km/hr. Stable weather is forecasted for the remainder of the week with 2 nights of -18C temperatures (Thur & Fri) and warmer for the weekend (-12C),

Snowpack Summary

At treeline in the Emerald Lake slide path there was 115 cm of snow and 60 cm at 1500 m. 30 cm low density snow fell so far today and overlies a suncrust found 2000 m and below. Field tests show moderate failures with potential for propagation at the new storm interface and a harder sudden collapse near the base of the snow pack.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility today. Only small avalanches ski cut in the Sunshine area, nothing stepping down to deeper layers. In the alpine, expect some activity where the winds have been moderate SW all day and loose snow avalanche can be expected in steep gullied terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds have been redistributing the loose snow into leeward areas where windslab failures should be expected up to 1 m thick in leeward terrain. Continued moderate SW wind tomorrow will add to the load causing natural avalanches.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Expect sluffing in steep gullied terrain with continued moderate SW wind Wednesday. Good time to pick climbs not exposed to avalanche hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Storm Slabs

The entire snowpack is a result of 2 recent storms and may sit on early season facets in some locations. Following the first storm there were a few alarmingly wide propagations to size 3 on this layer in the rockies. We have few alpine observations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3