Date issued

Nov 14, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

Nov 15, 2017 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

william lawson

Wind slab is currently the lone avalanche problem in the region. With the current variability of the snowpack, exposure to this problem can happen fast.

Regular season
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
Friday - November 17, 2017
Alpine

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.

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. When traveling in the alpine take extra care to identify areas with wind-drifted snow.

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

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

Below 1700m there is no significant snow. Above 2000m an early winter snowpack exists, snow depths range from 30 to 100+ cm depending on aspects and exposure to wind. A series of crusts have develop a supportive snowpack allowing for good ski travel. Wind effect to the recent snow has loaded specific slopes in the alpine, expect this to continue.

Weather Forecast

Periods of snow expected wednesday with forecasted accumulation of up to 5cm. Temperatures will remain steady with daytime highs at treeline elevation of -5.0. Freezing levels will hover near valley bottom. Light SW wind with moderate gust at treeline and above.

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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