Avalanche Forecast

We expect widespread natural activity has occurred with snowfall, strong winds and warm temperatures. Storm snow is expected to be reactive to human triggering, and we expect these conditions to continue for several days.

Early season observations are limited. If you head into the backcountry, please post to the Mountain Information Network.

Surface conditions likely vary from heavily wind affected snow at higher elevations, to settling storm snow in sheltered areas. Warm temperatures have likely begun to affect the surface snow, creating moist or wet snow at treeline and below.

A crust from early November may be found in the mid to lower snowpack, with surface hoar and/or facets. The distribution and reactivity of this layer are not well understood. It is uncertain whether avalanches are failing on this layer.

Below the snowpack consists of melt freeze crusts, facets, and depth hoar in some areas. At treeline, snowpack depth ranges from 100 to 200 cm.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of snow at higher elevations. 70+ km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C with an above freezing layer.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 30 cm of snow possible for higher elevations, favouring the Pine Pass/Mackenzie Area. Wet snow or rain likely below 1300 m. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.

Wednesday

Another 40 cm is possible overnight above 2000 m, wet snow or rain below. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures may reach +2 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.