Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Recent snowfall is adding to the load on a buried weak layer.
Choose conservative routes and be mindful of wind-loaded slopes.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Saturday.
On Friday, a skier triggered a large (size 2) persistent slab avalanche near Invermere. It occurred at treeline, on a steep slope.
Several large natural persistent slab avalanches were observed near Invermere on Thursday. They occurred in the alpine on west to north aspects.
Information is very limited at the moment. Please consider submitting a MIN.
Snowpack Summary
40-50 cm of soft snow sits on a layer of surface hoar on shaded slopes, or a thin crust on sunny slopes.
There is a crust from early November at the base of the snowpack. The crust may have weak, sugary facets on top, if this is the case large avalanches are possible.
Snowpack depths are expected to be 50-70 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with no snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with no snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
MondayMostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
TuesdayMix of sun and cloud with 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Choose simple, low-angle terrain without steep convex rolls.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Large avalanches are possible where weak, sugary facets sit on top of a crust near the base of the snowpack. This problem is most likely found in the alpine, in steep rocky areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind from the prairies may be forming slabs, especially at low elevations.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 24th, 2024 4:00PM
