Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 30th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada MBender, Avalanche Canada

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Lots of snow, strong to extreme wind and warm temperatures through Tuesday and Wednesday are ingredients for HIGH avalanche danger. It's a good time to minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain through the next few days.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to limitations in the field data.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY Night: Flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm / Strong south southwest wind / Alpine temperature around -7 C.

TUESDAY: Snow or possible rain, accumulation 15-25 cm / Strong to extreme southwest wind / Alpine temperature around 0 C / Freezing level 1500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-30 cm / Strong to extreme southwest wind / Alpine temperature around 0 C / Freezing level 1500 m.

THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature around -3 C / Freezing level 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the past few days. Expect to see avalanche activity increase as the region receives a substantial amount of snow, strong to extreme winds and warm temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

The winter snowpack is growing and settling. Winds are moving it around which is helping fill in creeks and gullies at the expense of windward slopes and terrain bulges being stripped. Anywhere from zero to 150 cm. On Monday, our Fraser weather station in the trees was showing 99 cm. Winds are expected to increase dramatically in the coming days so expect the surface snow and any new snow to be re-distributed into the lee of terrain features.

Terrain and Travel

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Expect storm slabs to become increasingly reactive as new snow accumulates through the day Tuesday and Wednesday. Deepest deposits will be in the lee of terrain features with the wind blowing strong to extreme from the southwest. Lower elevations may see loose wet avalanches where rain is possible.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 1st, 2020 4:00PM