Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 4th, 2020–Nov 5th, 2020

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

While Winter is just starting, we have already seen numerous large avalanches. Avalanche paths like frequent flyer and Cheops Nth4 have the potential to run full path! Try and always be cognisant of overhead hazards when traveling at valley bottom.

Weather Forecast

Low pressure systems are tracking across BC from the Pacific, bringing warm temperatures, and continued precipitation until Friday morning.

Today:15cm of snow in the Alp, 15mm of rain at TL and BTL, mod SW wind, gusting to 70km from the SW and FL rising to 2600m.

Tonight: 25cm of snow in the Alp, 25mm of rain at TL and BTL.

Thursday: 10cm new snow.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine: Height of snow is above average on lee terrain features, and well below on scoured windward areas. Storm slabs continue to build

Treeline: The snowpack is shrinking with rain on snow conditions.

Below Treeline: The height of snow varies from 40cm at HWY elevation, to 70cm. Expect rain soaked snow, and isothermal conditions at this elevation.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches were observed yesterday in the HWY corridor, to size 2.5 in extreme terrain (Macdonald Gully #7, and Tractor Shed East). Natural avalanches are possible today, and human triggered avalanches are likely. The avalanche cycle will peak tonight and tomorrow, with continued precipitation, warm temperatures and strong winds.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

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.

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.