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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 16th, 2013–Nov 17th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

It is early season and many places do not have enough snow for good skiing. Snow is accumulating in gullies and lee features. Skiers and ice climbers should be aware of increased wind loading going on over the next two days. CJ

Weather Forecast

An additional 10-15cm is expected on Sunday with strong W winds in the alpine and cool temperatures. Monday and Tuesday remain cool with a few flurries and a mix of sun and cloud.

Snowpack Summary

20-40cm of storm slab sits over the previous surfaces at tree line and above. Previous moderate to strong W winds created soft and hard slabs on N and E aspects. Above 2400m the Oct 27 melt freeze crust exists near the base of the snowpack and continues to provide a good sliding layer. The base of the snowpack consists largely of facets.

Avalanche Summary

Several slabs have been observed in alpine areas over the past 36 hours up to size 2. At higher elevations these are running on either the Oct 27 melt freeze crust or at the storm snow interface. Cornices are growing and fragile and several natural and human triggered failures have been observed recently.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.