Avalanche Forecast

Avalanche activity has tapered to zero over the past few days, although observations are limited. Little more is expected until it snows again.

Small natural avalanches ran during the overnight period on Nov 22 in the Whistler area. A small cornice tab release was also observed to have triggered a small loose snow avalanche.

Explosives control coaxed another small wind slab from steep terrain the following morning.

Depending on aspect/elevation, either a new crust or a new layer of surface hoar can be found on 10-20 cm of faceting low density snow. In exposed areas you're more likely to find wind-stripped surfaces and perhaps a small, stubborn wind slab in lee terrain.

Where it hasn't blown away, the surface snow sits on a supportive melt-freeze crust buried November 21. Below, additional crusts with well-bonded snow may be found in the top 30-50 cm of the snowpack.

Steady coverage in the open starts at about 1100 m. Above about 1600 m, snowpack height ranges from 50-100 cm, increasing with elevation and deepest on the west side of Hwy 99. The base of the snowpack is well consolidated and bonded to the ground and glacial ice.

Saturday Night

Clear skies. Alpine wind north 10-15 km/h. Freezing level 2500 m.

Sunday

Clear skies. Alpine wind west 10-15 km/h. Treeline high temperature 3°C. Freezing level 2900 m.

Monday

Clear skies. Alpine wind southwest 10-15 km/h. Treeline high temperature 3°C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Tuesday

Clear skies. Alpine wind west 10-15 km/h. Treeline high temperature 2°C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.