Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 1st, 2020 8:09AM

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

Chris Gooliaff,

Welcome back to a new avalanche season! Snowpack depths are deep enough in the alpine to produce large avalanches. Meanwhile, below treeline snow depths are thin and travel is still rugged. Ease into the season, avoid slamming into rocks, trees, etc!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Warm and no snow for the next two days, then be ready for 3-4 days of stormy weather.

Today: nil precip, Alp high of +4*C, fzl rising to 3700m, light SW winds

Mon: nil precip, mod SW winds, Alp high +3*C, fzl rising to 3900m

Tues: 15cm snow, mod SW winds, Alp high of 0*C, fzl at 1800m

Wed: 30cm snow, mod/strong SW winds, fzl near 2200m 

Snowpack Summary

A healthy 1.5+m snowpack in the alpine rapidly shrinks to 30-40cm at 1300m. A supportive rain crust, found up to 2200m, is ~30cm below the surface near treeline elevations. Expect to find variable wind slabs on lee alpine and treeline features, with scouring to near ground on windward slopes. Lots of rocks, trees, and open creeks below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

A major early-season cycle Thursday/Friday saw numerous avalanches off Tupper, Macdonald, and the N side of Cheops to sz 3 ripping from alpine start zones and making it to valley bottom. Cooler temps curtailed activity yesterday, but a forecasted temp spike today could see avalanche activity resume.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for dense lenses of snow as you transition off ridge-crests and onto lee slopes.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Warm temps and sun will encourage loose avalanches from steep, S'ly aspects today.

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 2nd, 2020 8:00AM