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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 18th, 2012–Nov 19th, 2012

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

A strong wet storm is headed onshore and looks like it will bring us moderate and possibly heavy snowfall depending on the exact track. This could create the first major avalanche cycle of the season. JBW

Weather Forecast

A strong southwesterly flow with a strong supporting jet will bring heavy precipitation to the southern Rockies. We may see as much as 20-30cm of snow. Winds will be very strong from the south west.

Snowpack Summary

First wave in a series of storms brought some light snowfall. Nov 6 crust is down 30. Windslabs in open areas. Expect up to 30 cm new by Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reoprted. Expect increase in avalanche activity within 24 hrs with new snow and wind.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.