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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 28th, 2015–Nov 29th, 2015

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Northwest Coastal.

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Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

High pressure, dry conditions and warm alpine temperatures are expected to continue until Monday. Winds become strong southerly on Sunday. Light snow is expected to begin late Monday (around 5-10 cm overnight) and continue on Tuesday (10-25 cm). The northernmost part of the region will get the most snow and may exceed these numbers. Confidence in the intensity and timing of this system is low.For more details check out avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle occurred in the north of the region on Thursday, with several loose, moist avalanches below about 1700 m, and some isolated storm or wind slabs in the alpine to size 2.5. Glide avalanches are also reportedly active. On Friday, a large explosive triggered a size 3 slab which may have failed on an early season crust/ facet layer.

Snowpack Summary

So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is around 150 cm at 2000 m. Recent winds have created variable wind slabs and crusts. In some places, a crust/facet interface or surface hoar can be found in the upper snowpack. At high elevations, a crust which formed early season sits at the base of the snowpack.Its a good time to dig down and get snowpack information before committing to any terrain. Incoming snow may bond poorly to some of the existing snow surfaces.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.