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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 30th, 2024–Dec 1st, 2024

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

Purcells, South Rockies, East Purcell, Bull, Crowsnest North, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Weak layers in the snowpack warrant careful terrain choices and watching for signs of instability like cracking or whumpfing.

Submit MIN report if you are out in the mountains!

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Since the weekend, several size 1 to 1.5 deep persistent slab avalanches have been reported in the Invermere area. These 40 cm thick slabs are failing on weak basal snow and have been triggered by both riders and explosives.

No wind slab avalanches have been reported, though wind transport has been observed.

Snowpack Summary

Treeline snow depths are 50 to 70 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine. Surface snow is being redistributed by wind in exposed areas but remains soft in sheltered terrain.

In the Invermere area, weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack has caused several small but notable deep persistent slab avalanches. Similar conditions are likely in the South Rockies, though observations are limited.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partially cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h west ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly clear. 12 to 30 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear. 12 to 30 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C with an above-freezing layer developing between 2000 m to 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.