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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 22nd, 2023–Nov 23rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season

Regions

Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

Trace amounts of new snow on top of Tuesday's temperature crust could lead to a slippery sliding surface and small avalanches. This could be an issue for ice climbers in high consequence terrain.

Early Season Conditions persist, so travel with caution.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Whumphing was reported in the Hilda ridge area on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is very shallow with only 25-40cm at treeline. The alpine is heavily wind effected with scoured windward slopes and ridges. Snowpack can be a meter deep in leeward features. Expect a temperature crust on all aspects to mountain top under about 5cm of fresh snow.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -2 °C.

Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.