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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2023–Dec 3rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Storm slabs may be deeper than expected, with moderate winds accompanying recent storms. Keep an eye out for touchy storm slabs in alpine, treeline, and upper below treeline elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

In areas where more than 20 cm of new snow accumulated over a large surface hoar layer, touchy storm slabs are likely, especially in open areas where the storm was accompanied by wind.

Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you head out in the backcountry! 🙏

Snowpack Summary

In the south of this region, near Nelson 25 cm of new snow has buried a surface hoar layer formed during the clear, cool weather over various surfaces of wind-pressed snow, sun crust, and faceted soft snow. Things look a bit different in the north of this region, where we only had 5 to 10 cm of new snow.

The mid-pack is generally faceted. Near the base of the snowpack is a crust with facets or depth hoar beneath it.

Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack. At treeline and the upper end of below treeline, snowpack depths are between 30-80 cm. Below this, snowpack depths taper quickly. Check out the new Forecaster Blog Trouble ahead?

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, scattered flurries with trace accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, 3 to 7 cm accumulation. South alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, 2 to 5 cm accumulation, south alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C

Tuesday

Cloudy with mixed precipitation, 30 to 40 cm accumulation, snow switching to rain. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperatures 3 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.