Date issued

Nov 18, 2017 - 8:17 AM

Valid until

Nov 19, 2017 - 8:00 AM

Prepared by

ian gale

Avalanche hazard is increasing.

Avalanches now have the potential to run to valley bottom in places like Connaught Creek.

Regular season
Friday - November 17, 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 18, 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

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

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.

Sunday - November 19, 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.

Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs

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

Heavy snow loading and strong alpine winds have created a reactive storm slab in the alpine.  This storm slab will need a few days to bond to old snow surfaces.  This problem will persist through the weekend.

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs

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

The Halloween Crust layer is buried down approximately 70 cms, with the recent loading from heavy snow and strong winds we could see this layer become reactive. If it does the resulting avalanches would be large!

Travel and Terrain Advice
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches to size 2 were observed yesterday in the highway corridor from very steep terrain on Mt MacDonald and Tupper. There was also avalanche debris reported from steep north facing terrain in Cannaught creek drainage. This increase in avalanche activity can be attributed to recent snow loading and strong winds in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Over of 50 cm of new snow has fallen in the last 48hrs. The snow pack has almost doubled in the last week and a half! The Halloween crust is the prominent layer we're watching and it's down approx 70cm.  The November 9th is a hard to find & spotty surface hoar layer that might be found in the top 70cm.The snowpack remains shallow below 1700m

Weather Forecast

We're in for a stormy weekend! Today 5 cms are forecast, with 25km/hr winds from the Southwest gusting up to 50. Tonight we can expect 7cms of new snow and 25cm on Sunday. Further out the current forecast shows clearing Monday then another weather system Wednesday/Thursday bringing precipitation and high freezing levels

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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