Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 1st, 2020 8:26AM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
Ross Campbell,
Summary
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels over southern BC are forecast to rise from 1500m to 3000m today, depending on which model you believe. Expect sunny skies today, no precipitation and light winds. If the warming does not occur today, grab your sun screen, because all the models agree it will heat up tomorrow with the FL rising to 3400m!
Snowpack Summary
5-10cm of new snow, and mod-strong winds have hidden a layer of surface hoar size 5-10mm in most sheltered areas of the park. Beneath this interface are old wind slabs in the Alpine and exposed areas of treeline. In sheltered areas around TL there is another buried layer of SH dwn 40-60-cm. The Nov 5th Cr is now buried over 1m down
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed in the HWY corridor yesterday, or reported from the backcountry. An avalanche reported on Mt Swanzy appears to have stepped down to the Nov. 5th weak layer. A skier triggered sz 1.5 in Avalanche Crest and a 2.5 in Quartz last week failed on surface hoar with wide propagation.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Ongoing moderate SW winds continue to build windslabs in open wind affected areas in the alpine and at treeline. In isolated areas these overly a preserved surface hoar layer.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
A High-Pressure system, warm temperatures and high Freezing Levels will invoke a loose dry avalanche problem this week @ Rogers Pass. Loose dry avalanches are possible-likely on steep S-SW aspects with rocky terrain features.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Skiers may still trigger this layer in thin spots on steep planar slopes. This layer could be most reactive in shallow snowpack areas, which are characteristically on solar aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2020 8:00AM
