Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 22nd, 2020 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada matt, Avalanche Canada

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Until we get another round of snow there will be little change in our snowpack. Wide daytime temperature fluctuations are helping consolidate the surface windslabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Another dry day tomorrow. No snow is expected. Winds will pick up to about 30km/hr from the west Temperatures will spike again during the day with a high of -6.

Avalanche Summary

There was a recent cornice triggered slab avalanche behind Pocaterra Ridge. It entrained a lot of snow from the cliff face, but didn't trigger the deeper layers below. From a distance maybe a sz2 on an east aspect.

Snowpack Summary

Today's sunny skies made for warm temps on southern exposures. Probably not warm enough to form a crust, but there is a slight chance of an isolated sun crusts around trees and rocks. As usual westerly winds scoured all windward slopes in the alpine. Lots of transport was noted, but not a lot of slab development as most of the snow was blown to Calgary and beyond. Other than that its business as usual: a buried crust down 20-50cm and surface windslabs near ridges.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for windslabs in alpine areas in the upper snowpack. Gullies and ridgelines are common areas to find these issues. 

Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Despite the lack of avalanche activity we are still closely watching this layer. It is slowly breaking down in shallow areas, which will eventually cause problems.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 23rd, 2020 3:00PM

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