Avalanche Forecast

Many new natural and human-triggered avalanches have been reported in the alpine and at the treeline, between 1700 and 2200 m. The common theme is that they are failing on the November 21st / surface hoar facet crust interface.

Additionally, the terrain where these avalanches occurred was steep and focused on north through to east-facing terrain. The size of these avalanches has been from size 1 (small) to size 3 (very large).

One avalanche, in particular, was remotely triggered by a skier and began as a size one and picked up enough mass to strip the snowpack to the ground resulting in a size 2.5 (large) avalanche. Temperatures are forecast to remain cool and I would surmise that this slab avalanche problem will continue to persist.

On the southern border of this region, another remote trigger avalanche was observed at 2080 m. This avalanche size 1.5 (small) failed on the Nov 21 surface hoar/ facets interface and had noted surprising propagation.

At the surface of the snow small surface hoar has been reported at numerous operations. A series of storms over the past week has delivered 30 to 50 cm of new snow. This snow fell during a period of cooling and is light and easily transported by the wind.

A layer that was buried November 21st can be found down 50 to 80 cm and is primarily a mix of surface hoar and faceted crystals. This layer is the primary concern of persistence and has been the key component of the recent natural avalanche cycle.

The average snowpack depth below the treeline is 40 to 70 cm and above that elevation is 100 to 150 cm, with wind-loaded areas presenting as 200 cm.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 1 to 10 cm, 50 to 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -15 to -20 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy skies with continued snowfall beginning to subside near day's end accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 60 km/h easing to 20 km/hr southwest wind, treeline temperature rising to between -12 to -15 °C.

Clearing sky with some possible isolated afternoon flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 10 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -15 to -20 °C.

Clear sky no forecast precipitation, 10 km/h variable wind, treeline temperature -10 to -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.