Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 7th, 2014 9:49AM
The alpine rating is Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeYou'll be carrying your skis from the trail-head a ways before you're able to start skinning. Early season hazards like rocks and crevasses are shallowly covered. Helmets (and body armor) are recommended if you're determined to start your season now.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels are forecast to lower to 1400m, with up to 15cm of snow by Sunday. Next week expect clear skies and cold temps, possibly dropping down to -20 overnight at higher elevations. This should tighten up the snowpack and avalanche activity will decrease. It may also result in facetting of the snowpack, resulting in a weak base.
Snowpack Summary
A brief drop in temps this week brought snowline down to 1300m. On the 5th, freezing levels rose above 2200m with moderate rain. Fidelity received 26mm of rain in the past 24hrs. The snowpack at 2200m was wet and isothermal. Moderate, gusting to strong, SW winds at ridgetop will have loaded lee slopes if any dry snow exists at higher elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet avalanches up to size 3 were observed on Nov 5. They were triggered by moderate rain at ridgetop, with some running to the end of the run-outs.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
Dropping temps will tighten up the wet, isothermal snowpack this weekend. 15cm of snow is expected by Sunday, with moderate westerly winds loading lee slopes and forming pockets of windslab. Crevasses may be hidden under thin bridges on glaciers.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 8th, 2014 9:49AM