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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 28th, 2023–Nov 29th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Stewart, Ningunsaw, Ningunsaw.

Carefully assess how the recent snow is bonding to any underlying crusts. Keep in mind it is still early in the season and numerous hazards exist just below the snow surface.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Reports of avalanche activity have tapered since the storm but 1 large (size 2.5) natural avalanche in the alpine on a steep northwest-facing slope was reported on Sunday.

Observations are very limited at this time of year. If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 40 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of note.

Observations are very limited, but a problematic combination of crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack has been reported in upper alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpacks are found in the more western/coastal regions.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, northeast alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds with no precipitation, south alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with light 2 to 8 cm of snow, south alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow, south alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.