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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 28th, 2014–Nov 29th, 2014

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

Kootenay Boundary.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect.

Confidence

Poor - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Very cold arctic air is heading southwards. At the boundary between this cold air and the current warm, moist air, an intense burst of snowfall is anticipated. Friday night: Moderate to heavy snow (10-50 cm), with strong SW winds is possible.Saturday: Light snow may continue through the day. Becoming cold and clear by the end of the day. Light winds.Sunday/Monday: Very cold and dry. Light winds.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread loose wet and wet slab avalanche cycle to size 2 was observed on Thursday at treeline and below in the south of the region. No observations were made in the alpine. We had reports of whumpfing and collapsing at treeline in the north of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Around Kootenay Pass, rain moistened (and weakened) the snowpack to perhaps about 2000m on Thursday. It's expected that the snowpack in this region may remain weak through the warm part of Friday, but strengthen rather quickly after the cold snap arrives.In the Whitewater backcountry, a weak and shallow snowpack was reported on Wednesday, with lots of whumpfing and collapsing. Due to a lack of field observations, it is unclear how Thursday's warm temperatures/ rain have influenced the snowpack here. Above about 2000m and in the north of the region, I have the most avalanche concerns. It's these areas which may be harbouring a weak layer (formed during November's dry spell), now overloaded with storm snow. We have very limited field information. If you have been out in the mountains, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected].

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.