Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Regions
South Columbia.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Moderate snowfall with locally heavy accumulations / Moderate southwest winds with strong gusts / Freezing level at 1200mSunday: Light snowfall / Light southeasterly winds / Freezing level @ 1200m Monday: Light to moderate snowfall / Moderate to strong southwesterly winds / Freezing level @ 1100m
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity to report. We welcome all field observations at [email protected].
Snowpack Summary
As of Friday, between 20-30cm of recently fallen snow sits over a variety of surfaces that may include surface hoar, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and well settled storm snow from last week. Forecast wind and snowfall for Friday night and Saturday should significantly increase the size and reactivity of this developing wind/storm slab.Deeper in the snowpack you might find a thin, spotty surface hoar layer about 85cm down. As well, the early November rain crust now sits over 100cm down in most locations (at treeline and above) and may exist in combination with facets. These layers seem to have been unreactive in recent days, but may have the potential to 'wake-up'.The snowpack depth in the alpine ranges from 130-225 cm. Treeline near 150 cm.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.