Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 18th, 2016–Nov 19th, 2016

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Some good skiing can be found at upper elevations on a supportive snowpack. Some wind slabs remain active and may be sitting on an underlying rain crust depending on aspect and elevation.

Weather Forecast

Under the influence of a ridge over the weekend bringing slightly warmer temperatures and light SW winds. Expect a few flurries along the Divide Saturday, but nothing substantial. Skies will be clearer on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

15-30cm received early this week was accompanied by moderate to strong SW to NW winds which formed some wind slabs at higher elevations. This new snow sits on the Nov. 12 crust (1-2cm thick ) which is present up to 2400 m and higher on South aspects. Below this is a well settled snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Some small wind slabs over the Nov. crust noted near ridgelines or on approach to ice climbs. Generally, we have limited observations from high alpine areas.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.