Date issued

Nov 22, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

Nov 23, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

snow safety

The first major avalanche cycle of the season will peak on Thurs. Avoid all avalanche terrain. There is a significant weak layer deep in the snowpack that is active and we expect widespread avalanche activity.

Regular season
Thursday - November 23, 2017
Alpine

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.

Treeline

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.

Below Treeline

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.

Friday - November 24, 2017
Alpine

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.

Treeline

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.

Below Treeline

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.

Saturday - November 25, 2017
Alpine

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.

Treeline

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.

Below 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.

Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs

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

This is an active avalanche problem and is the main reason people should avoid all avalanche terrain on Thursday. The problem exists in most terrain and will become overloaded with the incoming storm. Watch overhead hazard.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs

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

Winds up to 100 km/hr are forecast for Thurs which will load the new snow onto leeward aspects. Windslabs should be expected near all ridges and gully areas and can be expected to become large once triggered.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Avalanche Problem 3: Loose Wet

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

Warm temperatures and rain at low elevations will produce wet avalanches in gullies below treeline. Ice climbers in particular should avoid gully climbs on Wed and Thurs.

Avalanche Summary

Visibility was generally poor throughout the forecast area but some slab avalanches to size 2.0 were noted throughout.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack near treeline has a depth of 1m. The main feature of concern is a facet layer associated with the halloween raincrust. This layer has been causing avalanches, extensive whumphing, and has had good propagations.

Weather Forecast

A strong south-westerly flow dominates the region bringing rain, snow and warm temperatures. Rain is expected to reach 2200m Thursday morning followed by snow as the moist air lifts over the colder incoming air. Thursday evening should be winter again with colder temps and snow.

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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