Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 23rd, 2016 8:00AM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

A decent winter storm is coming to the region. Avalanche danger will increase as the snow piles up.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries amounting to 5cm today, along with moderate SW winds at ridge-top and freezing levels rising to ~1500m. Thursday will see 10-15cm of snow arrive with freezing levels around 1200m and moderate to strong SW winds. Friday promises another 10cm with mod-strong SW winds and valley-bottom freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

Over the past week 70cm of snow fell at 1900m and is settling into a slab, which sits on the November 13 crust. Recent tests on this interface indicate that in isolated areas the slab may have a poor bond and could be triggered by a person. Pockets of windslab are present in the immediate lee of ridge-top features.

Avalanche Summary

Solar point releases to size one were observed and reported yesterday. These were on south to south-west aspects.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Southerly winds have loaded lee slopes with pockets of windslab and built new, touchy soft cornices.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Below the light and powdery surface snow a slab is developing, and it sits on a hard crust. Recent tests have shown that this interface is becoming one to watch. With the forecast storms expect it to be increasingly reactive.

Choose regroup spots that are out of avalanche terrain.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2016 8:00AM