Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 25th, 2021 4:00PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Kootenay Boundary.

Keep your head up as you gain elevation and exposure to the wind. As new snow stacks up, more reactive slabs will be in areas influenced by wind.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Thursday might: Flurries and snow, 5-20 cm accumulating by Friday morning. Southwest winds, 30-40 km/hr. Alpine temperature low -4 C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm. Southwest winds, 20-40 km/hr. Alpine temperature high -1 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with flurries starting during the day. Southwest winds 10-20 km/hr. Alpine temperature high -2 C. Freezing level 1400 m and rising.

Sunday: Wet snow and rain, 10-40 mm. Southwest winds gusting to 10-25 km/hr. Alpine temperature high +2 C. Freezing level spiking above 2300 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, November 24 explosives triggered a few large (size 2) stubborn wind slabs in lee-loaded terrain around 2300 m. Note we have very few field observations this early in the season.

Snowpack Summary

New snow overnight and into Friday will accumulate over recent settling snow. The mid-November crust is down 20-35 cm and up to 10 cm thick. At the bottom of the snowpack, up to 20 cm of facetted snow may be found.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 40-100 cm, with alpine depths exceeding 150 cm in areas. Below 1700 m, snowpack depths decrease rapidly.

Early season hazards are very real right now, be wary of thin/shallow snowpacks, rocks, stumps, creeks, and other sharks hidden fresh snow.

Terrain and Travel

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
Watch for changing conditions today, storm slabs may become increasingly reactive.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Up to 30 cm snow is forecast to accumulate through Friday with moderate to strong winds. The most reactive deposits will be around ridgelines and in lee terrain. Low freezing levels will allow snow to accumulate at below treeline elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 26th, 2021 4:00PM