Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada CJ, Avalanche Canada

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A few cm of new snow with increasing winds will slowly increase the hazard in steep lee alpine terrain over the next day or two. Early season conditions remain with a thin snowpack, lots of variability in snow depth, and plenty of lurking hazards to hit.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Lots of wind-affected surfaces in alpine and open treeline areas. Surface hoar growth is occurring and a sun crust can be found on some steep south aspects near treeline. The thin snowpack continues to facet with the cool temperatures. 40-70 cm of total snow at treeline throughout the region, with up to 120 cm in loaded alpine features. Below treeline, the snowpack is generally below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Some light snow will arrive with an incoming SW flow developing on Tuesday. 5 cm is expected in areas like Little Yoho, Kootenay and along the Continental Divide by the end of the day. Localized areas may see up to 10 cm depending on how the storm plays out. Winds will increase into the moderate to strong range from the SW. Freezing levels will remain at valley bottom.

For more information specific to the forecast region, see https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate to strong SW winds will start forming small wind slabs in lee areas of the alpine and in exposed treeline treeline features on Tuesday. These will form over the current faceted surface and may become more reactive in the future as a result of this interface.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2022 4:00PM