Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 29th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
MBender,
Avalanche Canada
Clear and cold conditions continue into the weekend. It is still possible to trigger avalanches where the wind has formed slabs at higher elevations.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY Night: Mainly clear, light wind from the east, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
SATURDAY: Sunny, light wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
SUNDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.
MONDAY: Flurries, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine high temperature around -5 C.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in the region. The main concern this week is areas where wind may have blown surface snow into hard wind slabs. Concern is reduced in areas where the snow depths have not yet reach the threshold for avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Cold windy conditions have redistributed whatever new snow fell last weekend. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that in areas where early season snowpack existed the new snow buried a thick crust. A MIN report from the Ashman area (west of Smithers) suggests the new snow bonded well to the crust, but that may not be the case elsewhere in the region. Given the lack of recent snowpack observations, we suggest carefully monitoring the bond of the new snow to this crust. Total snow depths are 50-100 cm in alpine areas around Smithers, with depths diminishing rapidly below 1500 m.
Problems
Wind Slabs
In alpine terrain and near ridgetops you may find old hard wind slabs on all aspects and softer fresh slabs on west and north facing slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 30th, 2019 5:00PM
