Avalanche Forecast

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

Snowfall beginning on Friday evening will continue into the day on Saturday. Later in the weekend is looking quieter with the potential for some clearing.

Friday Overnight: As a strong pacific system passes over the northwest ranges we will see winds increasing overnight along with rising freezing levels, and moderate snowfall. Southwest winds will be strong to extreme at ridgetop, easing to strong into the morning. Freezing levels rise to around 1200m, with 10-30 cm of new snow. 

Saturday: A cloudy day with continued snowfall. Strong southwest winds at ridgetop with accompany 5-20 cm of new snow throughout the day. Freezing levels hovering at 500m with alpine temperatures around -10 C.

Sunday: Partially cloudy with flurries, accumulation up to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds at ridgetop with alpine temperatures around -15 C. 

Monday: A quieter day with a mix of sun and cloud, light flurries and light to moderate ridgetop winds from the southeast. Alpine temperatures around -15 C.

There have been very limited reports in the past week! If you do head out in the backcountry, please share your observations/pictures/conditions to the Mountain Information Network! Thank you :)

Another 10-30 cm overnight brings this week's new snow totals to 40-60 cm. This new snow came in with strong winds from the southwest, which will be redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. In sheltered areas, the new snow will behave as a storm slab or loose dry problem, particularly where it overlies a crust.

There is still some concern for buried weak layers. Surface hoar has been observed in sheltered areas at treeline and below, now buried under this week's storm snow. The November 27th rain crust is buried 40-100cm and exists up to 1500m in some areas. 

The lower snowpack consists of a series of early season crusts. Cold temperatures will have promoted faceting around these crusts. Shallow alpine slopes along the eastern side of the Rockies towards Jasper may have weaker, faceted snow near the ground. 

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 60cm-200cm, with the shallower value mainly in the eastern side of the range. The alpine snowpack ranges from 150cm-200cm. 

• Choose conservative terrain and watch for clues of instability.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.