Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2012–Nov 27th, 2012

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mostly clear skies / Moderate to strong northwesterly winds / Freezing level at 1300mWednesday: Increasing cloud throughout the day with light snowfall developing by the evening / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1400mThursday: Continued snowfall with heavier accumulations in the north of the region / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 1400m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported. If you and your friends have been out exploring and riding in the backcountry, and have some observations to share please send an email to [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

Last week's storm/wind slabs have most likely gained considerable strength with the break in the weather over the past few days. In some parts of the region an early November rain crust sits near the bottom of the snowpack.  Where it exists, this crust has been seen from 1700 m to ridgetop on all aspects. Some tests have resulted in CTM-H ranges with sudden planar characteristics. I have also received reports of a SH layer buried up to 100 cm down. Tests on this layer are in the hard range with sudden planar characteristic. At this time the surface hoar may be specific to certain parts of the region.   Be a detective. Dig down and see how the snowpack is shaping-up in your neck of the woods.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.