Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 24th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Be cautious with your terrain choices as we ease into the riding season. A series of warm, wet storms is expected to form fresh slabs, especially in wind exposed terrain. Keep an eye out for rapidly changing conditions as you travel.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
We are entering a stormy period. Snow will continue to fall and temperatures will rise through Friday with the incoming storm.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level rising to 1200 m, strong south wind, 5-15 cm snow expected. Snowfall amounts could be higher in the Alpine.
THURSDAY: Overcast, freezing level continues rising to 1500 m, strong south wind, 10-20 cm snow expected.
FRIDAY: Broken cloud cover at dawn, clearing in the afternoon, freezing level drops back to valley bottom, Alpine low -16. Moderate wind from the west. Trace to 8 cm snow expected as the system tapers off.
SATURDAY: Cold and clear break before the next push of precipitation. Calm winds.
Avalanche Summary
We have very little in the way of recent observations, but a few old wind slabs have been observed in the last week. That being said, we're heading into what looks to be a pretty stormy period and folks need to watch for the formation of fresh sensitive storm slabs everywhere the riding is good.
Snowpack Summary
Wednesday night's snow and wind are expected to form fresh slabs in wind exposed terrain. 30-60 cm of snow from the last storm was impacted by significant wind in open terrain, making snowpack depths quite variable.
A widespread Nov 16th Facet/Crust interface exists, but it appears to be bonding well. The incoming storm snow will further test this layer.
A sporadic layer of surface hoar has been reported down 70 cm producing mixed results in snowpack tests.
A couple of crusts are found in the lower snowpack: one from early November down 90 cm; and another from October near the ground.
Snowpack depths range from 75-180 at treeline, with alpine depths exceeding 250 cm. The deepest snowpacks are reported near Blue River and Valemount. Below 1500 m, snowpack depths decrease rapidly.
Early season hazards are very real right now, be wary of thin/shallow snowpacks where the crust isn't supportive, rocks, stumps, creeks, and other sharks could be hidden under a dusting of fresh snow.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
5 to 15 cm of new snow is expected overnight, and an additional 10 to 20 cm is possible during the day Thursday. The bad news is that it's all accompanied by a heap of wind generally out of the south which will likely form fresh sensitive storm slabs at and above treeline. Rain falling at treeline may induce a round of small wet loose avalanches too.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 25th, 2021 4:00PM
