Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure should maintain sunny skies for Tuesday before giving way to a frontal system on Wednesday. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Freezing level at around 1400 m (an above freezing layer between 1800-2200 m is possible). Winds light from the south. Wednesday: Increasing cloud with precipitation developing. Expect 5-10 cm overnight. Freezing level around 1800m, lowering to 1400 m overnight. Thursday: Moderate precipitation – 10-20 cm. Freezing level around 1400 m. Winds should be moderate to strong from the south-southeast.

There are no new reports from the region. Cooler and drier conditions should decrease the likelihood of natural activity, but human triggered avalanche remain possible, particularly on exposed wind loaded slopes and cross-loaded gullies. Also, be cautious in terrain with smooth ground cover and a thin or variable snowpack where is might be possible to trigger the early November persistent weakness.

Recent storm snow has probably settled and strengthened under cooler temperatures. Dense wind slabs may still be susceptible to triggering in steep lee terrain. The main snowpack feature is a rain crust buried early November and now down around 80cm at treeline. A weak layer of facets sitting on top of this crust shows "collapse" fracture character and the ability to propagate. Widespread whumpfing and cracking on this layer has also been reported. It's mostly a concern at upper treeline and alpine elevations on slopes with smooth ground cover (e.g. scree slopes, rock slabs, summer firn, grass, etc.). Coquihalla Pass and Cayoosh Pass have around 50cm on the ground at the road elevation. Treeline areas have around 100-120 cm Alpine areas likely have more snow, but also highly variable depths depending on wind exposure. For more information check out the telemarktips.com forum, the Mountain Conditions Report, and Wayne Flann's Avalanche Blog.