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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 15th, 2013–Nov 16th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

The hazard is rising. The areas with enough snow to ski are also the features that will be the most likely places for triggering these avalanches. Ice climbers should be aware of increased loading going on above them over the next few days. CJ

Weather Forecast

Another 10-15cm of snow is expected over the next couple of days. Temperatures will begin falling as the winds shift to the NW with overnight lows near -18'C. Gusty winds will continue for the next 24 hrs and then ease off slightly.

Snowpack Summary

20-40cm of storm slab exists above treeline with moderate West winds loading N and E aspects and forming soft and hard wind slabs. Near Lake Louise the Nov 13 sun crust can be found on steep solar aspects. In the alpine the Oct 27 melt freeze crust near the base of the snowpack continues to provide a good sliding layer over the basal facets.

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs on lee and cross loaded features have been easily triggered by skiers or explosives over the past 24 hours up to size 2. These are running in the storm snow and on the Oct 27 melt freeze crust or basal facets, and in some locations on a Nov 13 sun crust. Cornices are fragile and growing, and several recent failures have been observed.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

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.

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.