Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely - Very Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Be cautious in lee and cross loaded areas where wind loading may have created wind slabs. Watch for signs of wind affected, "pillowy" snow.
Avalanche forecast
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Nov 29, 2017Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 9 years ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Highlights
Fernie received 16 cm overnight with a lot of wind. Suspect dangerous wind slab is building in exposed lee areas. Danger ratings updated 8am on Wed, November 29.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm. Moderate gusting to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1000 mFRIDAY: Cloudy isolated flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1100 m.
Avalanche Summary
Large loose, wet avalanches were reported during last week's rain event. With a return to more winter-like temperatures and freezing levels the snow surface has since refrozen and no new avalanche activity has been reported. Wind affect in the recent snow has been noted on northeast through south aspects in the alpine. As wind continues to redistribute the new snow expect to find pockets of wind slab in lee areas.
Snowpack Summary
At upper elevations about 5-10 cm of snow has fallen on the crust that formed after last week's rain and warm weather. Reports from the area indicate that the crust is supportive, up to 10 cm thick and extends to mountain top elevations on all aspects. Many areas below treeline are below threshold depths for avalanches.