Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 14th, 2015–Nov 15th, 2015

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Natural avalanche activity is slowing down but the potential for human triggering remains high. Stick to conservative terrain.

Rocks, logs and other early season hazards are now buried just below the surface so travel with caution.

Weather Forecast

Another 10cm is expected overnight and throughout the morning on Sunday with mild temperatures and moderate to strong SW winds. Monday will see freezing levels dropping and drier weather.

Snowpack Summary

60-70cm of new snow at treeline over the last two days now sits over a layer of surface hoar, sun crust and/or facets near the ground. This layer is acting as a good sliding surface for the new snow. Warm temperatures have caused rapid settlement of the storm snow and total snowpack is between 65 and 80cm at treeline in most areas.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has slowed down but ski hills were still reporting "touchy" conditions on Saturday at treeline and above. Slides to size 2 (40-60cm deep, 50m wide) were being triggered on a mixture of sun crust, surface hoar, and facets near the ground over the past two days. Skier triggering remains very likely in steep terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

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.

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.