Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2015 8:08AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bcorrigan, Avalanche Canada

Warm temperatures on solar aspects in the alpine are the prime concern these days.  Use caution on sun affected slopesIf you are traveling in the backcountry, share your observations through the MIN

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

A dry ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern over western Canada and is not forecast to move out of the area until Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  In the meantime, an above-freezing layer (AFL) of air persists in the region between 1500 and 3000etres bringing temperatures in that elevation band to as high as +7°c., with its effect more pronounced on solar aspects.  Arctic air pooling in the valley bottoms will keep the temperatures well below freezing until the next storm system flushes out the cold air.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow sluffing in steep north facing terrain has been reported. No reports of wind slab avalanche activity from yesterday. Some sluffing in steep south facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is extremely variable at this time. Wind scoured north facing slopes exist at treeline and above from the recent strong winds associated with the arctic front. South facing slopes have wind slabs at tree line and above and may be hiding surface hoar from the previous spell of cold clear weather. Surface facetting has been observed in the region as a result of the recent cold weather and clear skies, and surface hoar up to 20mm has been reported in sheltered locations below treeline! There are a number of surface hoar layers now buried in the snowpack, but at present they appear to be unreactive, the most recent having been buried on Nov 24th. In shallow snowpack areas, especially on northern aspects, there may be a weak facetted layer at the base of the snowpack. Recent warming at upper elevations will change the snowpack on all aspects, and especially those facing to the south. Expect suncrust on all solar aspects

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading may have created wind slabs.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Now is a good time to dig a snow profile (or two) and figure out how the snowpack changes with aspect and elevation.>Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2015 2:00PM