Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 27th, 2016 8:00AM

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

Parks Canada percy woods, Parks Canada

The storm has passed but the fresh wind slab remains.  Avoid heavily loaded features and travel near or below fresh cornices.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The storm is over with only light precipitation in the forecast. Freezing level is expected to rise up to 1600m this afternoon. Alpine temps should be in the -4C range. Moderate SW winds can be expected at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Over the past 48hrs strong S-SW winds have formed fragile cornice and fresh wind slab on lee slopes. The widespread Nov 13 crust is now down 70-120cm. The Nov 23 temp crust is down 20-30cm in below treeline locations and surface snow appears to be bonding poorly to this layer. The Nov 23 crust is spotty, but may be found on S-SW aspects.

Avalanche Summary

From the highway corridor 5 slides to size 3 came out of the MacDonald paths yesterday running well down onto the fan. From the back country at least 3 avalanches were heard but not observed rumbling down the slopes of Mt Cheops into the Connaught creek drainage.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Strong winds and copious amounts of snow have created wind slab on lee features and avalanche path start zones. These wind slabs may be triggered by light loads. Highly variable snow depth should be expected in the alpine from wind redistribution.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Snowpack settlement is resulting in slab formation over the Nov 13 crust. Field tests on the crust and a stellar layer just above indicate the slab, depending on location, may have a poor bond and be susceptible to human triggering.
Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Choose regroup spots carefully.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 28th, 2016 8:00AM