Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2018 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

We're working from very few observations right now, but most of the region looks pretty wet and soggy.  The exception is the alpine where storm slabs and cornices are likely a real problem.  Please let us know what you're seeing on the MIN!

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

The storm has passed, and now we’re slowly transitioning towards a period of pronounced high pressure.  The forecast period is marked by cooler temps, very little precipitation and the potential for clear skies by the weekend.WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level holding around 1200 m, light variable wind, trace of precipitation possible.  THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1200 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.FRIDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1300 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 900 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

Monday and Tuesday's storm produced over 200 mm of precipitation that mostly fell as rain. Winds were extreme out of the south/southwest. Cornices likely formed on many ridgelines. Alpine areas near Squamish have the most snow, with around 70 cm of settled snow on the ground. In the alpine, there may be a crust lower in the snowpack. It is thought that there is insufficient snow for avalanches below 1500 m.

Problems

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Cornices have likely formed on alpine ridgelines.  Cornices are typically most prone to failure during times of transition.  Now is one of those times as the snowpack adjusts to the most recent storm and we enter a colder period.
Stay well back from cornices when traveling on ridgelines.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Be wary of traveling on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
If there's any good riding/travel to be had, it's going to be in the alpine.  This is also where you're most likely to find storm and wind slabs slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.The deepest slabs will be found immediately lee of ridge-crest.Be cautious around mid-slope terrain features like ridges and ribs where slabs may be deeper.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2018 2:00PM