Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 28th, 2017–Nov 29th, 2017

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

While cooler temperatures are healing the rain-soaked snowpack, avalanche hazard is INCREASING with the formation of a storm instability over a widespread crust.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather and flurries persist into the weekend with 40cm of accumulation expected by late Saturday. A fast moving storm front will track across the province today bring strong SW winds and 8cm of snow to Rogers Pass. Freezing level rises to 1100m.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of dry surface snow sits atop the Nov 23/26 crust complex at tree line. This crust is 2-4cm thick and is mostly supportive to skiers above 1700m. Below the crust the snowpack is moist and weak. At higher elevations the Oct. 31 crust survived the rain and is down ~120cm. Strong southerly winds created pockets of wind slab in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in the highway corridor.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and winds have created a storm slab that sits atop a supportive crust down 30cm. This layer will become more reactive with ongoing loading from wind and snow. This is an evolving problem that requires careful evaluation and decision making.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3