Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

  

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -8 / Freezing level 1500 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -2 / Freezing level 1500 m.

MONDAY: Snow; 15-25 cm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -2 / Freezing level 1500 m.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, west ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1500 m.

The new snow Friday night around Pine Pass is expected to form storm slabs reactive to human triggers.

There was an avalanche fatality near Pine Pass on Saturday, November 28. Reports indicate a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche at approximately 1600 m elevation on a northeast aspect. The avalanche was approximately 55 cm deep, 800 m wide and ran 400 m in length. The avalanche may have run on a weak layer of faceted crystals sitting on a crust that was buried in early November.

If you get out into the mountains this weekend, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

  

A surprise storm Friday night dropped up to 25 cm. of snow in the Pine Pass area which formed fresh storm slabs reactive to human triggers at treeline and above.

The snowpack is highly variable due to recent strong southwest winds. In some areas, the windward slopes have been stripped of any recent snow. On lee aspects, wind deposited snow drifts may be up to 90 cm deep. Fresh wind slabs may be reactive to human triggers.

  A crust that was buried in early November is near the base of the snowpack. In some areas, weak, sugary facets are sitting on this crust. It is most likely to be reactive to human triggers on south facing slopes and on steep, shallow, rocky, snowpack areas in the alpine.

Snow depths are approximately 150 cm in the northwest of the region (Pine Pass), 180 cm in the south (Renshaw, Kakwa) and 100 cm in the the northeast (Tumbler ridge). 

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.