Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 18th, 2013–Nov 19th, 2013

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Weather Forecast

Another 10-15 cm of snow is expected at treeline elevations on Monday night. Tuesday will see a clearing and cooling trend with winds switching to the northwest. Cool, dry conditions forecasted for the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-15cm of new snow today with moderate to strong W winds in the alpine and intense wind transport up high. 25-40cm of recent storm snow now sits over a facetted base. Above 2400m the Oct 27 melt freeze crust exists near the base of the snowpack and continues to provide a good sliding layer.

Avalanche Summary

In upper elevations over the past few days there has been several skier and explosive controlled wind slab avalanches up to size 1. In addition there has been some smaller natural activity reported on lee alpine terrain.

Confidence

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.