Date issued

Nov 15, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

Nov 16, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

deryl kelly

Good early season riding can be found at TL and above, though it can be difficult to access from below treeline

Wind effect in the Alpine on Northerly aspects

Regular season
Thursday - November 16, 2017
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline
Friday - November 17, 2017
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline
Saturday - November 18, 2017
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Newly formed wind slab 20-30 deep predominately on exposed alpine lees. Human triggering possible in the alpine. Be wary!

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Avalanche Summary

Observed no new avalanche activity on highway 93N. Climbers should still remain vigilant as even triggering a small avalanche in a gully feature or above cliffs can have severe consequences.

Snowpack Summary

Only trace amounts of snow below 1700m. Above 2000m, a generally strong, and supportive early winter snowpack exists with depths ranging from 30 to 100+ cm depending on aspect and exposure to wind. Wind effect to the recent snow has loaded northerly exposed slopes and ridge tops in the alpine, expect this to continue.

Weather Forecast

Localized convective storms moving through the Icefields and Wilson regions. Actual amounts will very, from trace to 5 - 7cm overnight Wednesday. Temperatures will remain floating near -5. Light to moderate, gusty SE winds will be moving fresh snow in exposed areas.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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