Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 22nd, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada MH, Avalanche Canada

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The new snow has buried surface hoar, facets, crust and early season hazards. Expect the new snow to be sensitive to human triggering in steeper terrain.

Knee tweaking and bone-breaking hazards remain shallow in the snowpack, travel with caution, and be prepared to deal with any emergency within your group.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Expect sluffing in steep terrain where new snow buries surface hoar, facets and crust.

Size 2 avalanche in MacD Gully 10, running to 1/4 fan. Suspect more activity is occurring but have limited visibility.

Snowpack Summary

15-25cm of new snow buries surface hoar (5-30mm), facets, and crust on solar aspects. The surface hoar is largest at and below treeline.

The snowpack is thin and faceted, with an average depth of 50cm below treeline, 80cm at treeline, and up to 120cm in the alpine in loaded areas. These values are below threshold for burying hazards, covering creeks, and bridging crevasses.

Weather Summary

Sandwiched between two weather systems, we will see mainly cloudy skies and no snow on Wednesday. Temps will range from -10 to -5 with 20km/hr SW winds.

Gradually increasing temps and winds into Thursday with more snow (~10cm) arriving early Friday morning.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

15-25cm now buries facets, surface hoar in sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects. Expect this layer to be reactive in steeper, convex terrain. Test smaller slopes before committing to bigger lines.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 23rd, 2022 4:00PM