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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 30th, 2014–Dec 1st, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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

Little Yoho.

The snowpack is in an immature state at the moment. Field technicians today observed consistent whumphing while traveling on skis below treeline suggesting the snowpack is ripe for failure. Remain cautious when evaluating and selecting your terrain.

Weather Forecast

A strong high pressure system will remain in place for the next 48 hours creating arctic outflow conditions and very cold temps. Temperature should moderate by mid week.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has settled into a soft slab but the snowpack character at the moment is unconsolidated and lacking any structure. Field forecasters were penetrating through the entire snowpack with skis close to the ground. Observed is the prominent Nov 6th crust which lies 10-20 cm's above the ground and snowpack tests yielded sudden collapses.

Avalanche Summary

The eastern rockies have seen the first major avalanche cycle this winter. Numerous avalanches up to size 3 were observed in the Alpine and Treeline on all aspects and many failures took place during the peak of the storm.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Sunday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.