Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 27th, 2016–Nov 28th, 2016

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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: Glacier.

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

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

Avalanche Problems

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

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