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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 21st, 2016–Nov 22nd, 2016

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.

Given the very limited information on hand for this bulletin, I would tread cautiously and take the time to gather snowpack information as I go. Please submit any observations from your day to the MIN. Give info get info!

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

The arctic front will gradually weaken and move east as the week progresses. Unstable weather will bring light snow accumulations with freezing levels near 700 m tonight through Tuesday. Ridgetop winds will blow moderate to strong from the South. Wednesday will mostly be cloudy with some flurries.

Avalanche Summary

There are no recent avalanche observations from this region. Last Friday a MIN post (avalanche.ca) reported a small slab that pulled out below a cornice. The slab was 15 cm deep by 30 m wide.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths are variable across the region and significantly peters out below treeline, opening it up for many early season hazards like open creeks, rocks, downed trees and below threshold for avalanche hazard. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 60 cm with 120 cm plus in the alpine. Surface snow tends to be variable with low density fluff to exposed areas of wind effect. A series of crusts buried beneath down 20-30 cm of fairly consolidated snow are showing sudden easy shears in snowpack tests. When traveling in the mountains Id maintain an investigative approach and dig down to test for weak layers before committing to a slope. If you've been in the mountains, please share your observations on our Mountain Information Network.

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.