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 Inland.

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Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

High pressure, dry conditions and warm alpine temperatures are expected to continue until Monday. Valley cloud is likely on Sunday. Light snow is expected to begin late Monday (around 5 cm overnight), with strong southerly winds. Light snow continues on Tuesday. Confidence in the intensity and timing of this system is low.For more details check out avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

Naturally triggered loose wet avalanches were observed in sunny rock outcrops this week. Glide slabs have also been active on a variety of aspects.

Snowpack Summary

So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is little snow below treeline. Recent outflow winds have created variable wind slabs and crusts at higher elevations. In some places, wind slabs may overlie a crust, surface hoar or facets. A persistent weak layer exists at the base of the snowpack in the north of the region, however I am not sure how widespread this is.Unusually warm temperatures are weakening surface snow layers.

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.