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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 23rd, 2024–Nov 24th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bull, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Purcells, South Rockies.

Recent snowfall is adding to the load on a buried weak layer.

Choose conservative routes and be mindful of wind-loaded slopes.

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.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Mix 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.

Avalanche 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: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 2.5

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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5