Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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The northeast wind is coming, and expect the past 80 cm of storm snow to be easily transported. Expect the avalanche danger to increase in the alpine.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A few natural size 2 (large) wind slab avalanches were reported at 1300 m on north aspect terrain. It's likely that a widespread natural event occurred during the past storm event but poor visibility hampered observations.

Please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network to help us and fellow recreationists.

Snowpack Summary

The storm last week delivered to this region between 40 to 80 cm of new snow. Winds were strong from the southwest during this event, and terrain exposed to this wind has been stripped with new snow building into wind slabs on north aspects.

During the past storm event a period of warming brought rain up to nearly 1500 m and now a melt-freeze crust can be found down 70 cm.

During mid-November, a period of cooling temperatures created a weak layer above the 1200-meter mark and can be found down 80 cm.

Average snowfall depths are around 20 to 60 cm below the treeline and 100 to 120 cm in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with light flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -18 C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with light flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 50 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -20 C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow, 60 to 80 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -30 C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -21 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Both north and south wind have transported available snow. Wind slabs will be found on all aspects. Use caution when entering terrain below ridgelines.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The past week's storm snow is forming a slab that may not bond well to the underlying snowpack. The layer of concern formed mid-November is composed of faceted grains, surface hoar, and a hard crust and can be found down 40 to 80 cm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2022 4:00PM

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