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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 13th, 2015–Nov 14th, 2015

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Storm slabs are rapidly loading and failing with the new snow,  increased winds, and warm temperatures.

Weather Forecast

Strong to extreme SW winds are expected to last into Saturday morning and up to 10cm overnight and throughout the day. Winds should diminish by the afternoon Saturday with freezing levels to 1700m. Another weaker system will bring some light snow amounts Saturday night into Sunday . Monday will see lowered freezing levels and clearer weather.

Snowpack Summary

30-35cm at treeline over the last 24 hours and an average 65-80cm snowpack at treeline. Warm temperatures have caused quick settlement of the storm snow. There is a layer of surface hoar and suncrust that exists in many areas which is acting as a sliding surface for the new snow.

Avalanche Summary

Ski hills East of the divide were reporting conditions becoming "very touchy" Friday afternoon. Slides to size 2 (40cm deep, 50m wide) were being triggered on a mixture of sun crust, surface hoar, and the ground. Limited backcountry observations today due to visibility, but an avalanche cycle is surely occurring up high in the Little Yoho area!

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Friday

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.