Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 26th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jsmith, Avalanche Canada

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85-150 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will likely be reactive to human triggers; especially in wind-affected terrain at treeline and above.

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, numerous naturally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported at all elevations in the Terrace region. The majority of these avalanches occurred on wind-loaded aspects (E/NE) at Treeline and above.

Additionally, some very large (up to size 3.5) naturally triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on large alpine avalanche paths in the Bear Pass area.

Snowpack Summary

20-35 cm of new snow brings recent snow amounts to 85-150 cm at treeline and above. Strong southwest ridgetop winds have created thick wind slabs on lee aspects.

The recent snow overlies primarily hard snow surfaces.

The depth of the snowpack at treeline varies widely from 100-200 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline where the recent snow fell as rain.

Many early-season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks exist below treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clearing skies / Moderate northwest ridgetop winds / Low temperature at treeline -8 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Mostly sunny / Light northwest ridgetop winds / High temperature at treeline -5 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Sunny / Light southeast ridgetop winds / High temperature at treeline -10 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny / Light northeast ridgetop winds / High temperature at treeline -13 C / Freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Shooting cracks, whumphs and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

85-150 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will continue to be reactive to human triggers; especially in wind-affected terrain at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Nov 27th, 2022 4:00PM