Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Nov 27 – 28, 2012Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

This bulletin is based on a very small amount of data. Significant variations in conditions exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Windslabs are likely getting less sensitive by the day, but you should still be suspect of steep wind loaded features at and above treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4
    The early November crust can be found near the base of the snowpack.� Around a meter of snow rests on this crust.� It's getting hard to trigger, but I suspect you could still activate it in areas where the 'pack is thin and/or rocky.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels climb to 1500 m Wednesday before dropping back to 1200 m overnight and then stay steady near 1200 m throughout the forecast period.  Expect strong to extreme winds to develop out of the west around lunchtime Wednesday.  These winds should persist throughout the forecast period as a series of low pressure systems cross the province.  The forecast calls for light snowfall beginning in the wee hours of Thursday.  I expect 5 - 10 cm of snow Thursday morning, an additional 5 - 10 cm Thursday night and 5 - 15 cm Friday.  Timing and intensity of the storm should become clearer as the week goes on. 

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar probably blankets many slopes in the region.  It *could* be a problem when it starts snowing later this week.  Alpine snow depths are somewhere between 1 - 2 m.  Depths quickly drop below threshold at and below treeline.  An early season rain crust exists near the ground from rain events in late Oct./early Nov.  Wind exposed terrain at and above treeline likely harbors isolated wind slabs that range from 50 - 100 cm in depth. 

Regions covered