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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 18th, 2015–Nov 19th, 2015

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, 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.

Regions

Little Yoho.

What a start to the ski season! Forecasters almost think they live somewhere else. Give the snowpack some time to settle to the new load. It's been a lot of snow in a short period of time. SH

Weather Forecast

Cooler temperatures for Thursday and Friday with valley temps between -10 to -12 and alpine temperatures in the -18 to -25 range. Only trace amounts of snow are expected over the next 2-3 days with light to moderate W to NW winds.

Snowpack Summary

Essentially 2 major snowfall events in the past week has created the snowpack. The latest one from Tues threw down 30-50cm low density snow in most areas. There is a fairly supportive midpack, but inconsistent results are still being found within the storm snow, and in some circumstances, near the ground. HS at treeline is well over a meter.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control in Yoho produced either sloughing, or wind slabs to size 2.5 in high alpine terrain and benched cliffs. One slide on Stephen near 3000m stepped 2 meters deep near the ground. This is likely only possible in steep/lee terrain in the high alpine where facets will be more prevalent. The vast amount of avalanches were 40-80cm deep.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Wednesday

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 Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.