Date issued

Nov 13, 2017 - 3:00 PM

Valid until

Nov 14, 2017 - 2:00 PM

Prepared by

jeremy.mackenzie

Wind and snow have lead to an increase in hazard. Remember that even a small avalanche can have serious consequences in exposed terrain and shallow snowpack run-out zones.

Regular season
Tuesday - November 14, 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
Wednesday - November 15, 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
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

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs

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

Fresh wind slab development will continue through the night in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Be wary of these slabs immediately below ridge-crests and on exposed terrain between pitches of ice climbs.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
  • Be very cautious with gully features.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed over the past couple of days, but observations have been very limited.

Snowpack Summary

By mid-afternoon on Monday 5cm had fallen in the Alpine with strong SW winds. More snow is expected overnight. Wind slab development is ongoing at higher elevations in lee and cross-loaded features. The Halloween Crust is buried between 15 and 25cm and has shown signs of facetting in some areas. This crust is found below 2500m on all aspects, and will be one to watch through the start of the season. At lower elevations the snowpack is shallow and weak with extensive early season hazards to be concerned with.

Weather Forecast

Flurries will continue tonight before a clearing trend on Tuesday. Strong SW winds will continue with Alpine temperatures reaching a high of only -10 Celsius on Tuesday. Wednesday is a mixed bag, with another wave of snow expected on Thursday.

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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