Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Nov 30 – Dec 1, 2014Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

What did you see over the weekend? We welcome your observations. Email forecaster@ avalanche.ca.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–6
    A touchy weak layer is now buried a metre or so down in the snowpack. It may be reactive to the weight of new snow, wind-loading or the additional weight of a skier or sledder. Avalanches on this layer could be surprisingly large.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent snow and wind may have left slabs on a variety of slopes. Watch for breakable or stiff-feeling snow, or smooth, bulbous-looking slopes. These may indicate wind slabs.

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday: Very cold and mainly dry. Strong SW winds on Monday, becoming light for Tues/Wednesday.

Avalanche Summary

Explosives triggered two very large (size 2.5 and 3.5) slabs in the south of the region on Thursday around treeline. These failed on a weak layer of facets buried about a week ago. Explosives also triggered some 30-40cm deep size 2 storm slabs on Saturday between 2400 and 2600m on east-facing slopes. The odd naturally-triggered size 1-2 storm slab was also reported over the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

As we begin our forecasting season, we are working with very limited field data. If you have been out in the mountains, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected].Half a metre or so of recent snow is likely to have been redistributed by wind into slabs on lee slopes. Natural avalanches may continue spilling down steep headwalls for a day or two. A weak layer (of facets over a crust) which formed during November's dry spell is now buried a metre or more down. Avalanches failing on this layer have the potential to propagate widely, leading to very large events.

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