Avalanche Forecast

The see-saw weather cycle continues. Clearer, colder, and calmer weather will shift to wet, warm, and windy on the weekend, and we'll do it all again next week.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Freezing level at valley bottom, alpine low -12. Moderate southwest wind. No precipitation.

SATURDAY: Overcast. Freezing level rising over the day, up to 1500 m by midnight. Strong south wind, 5-20 cm of snow is expected later in the day, getting more intense in the evening.

SUNDAY: Overcast. Freezing level 2000 m. Strong southwest wind. 5-20 cm snow expected. Think on the higher side in the alpine, and shallower and wetter at treeline and below. 

MONDAY: Clear. Freezing level falling to between 500 and 1000 m. No precipitation. 

The North Rockies field team was riding west of McBride on Wednesday, and they found isolated wind slabs 15-25 cm deep in lee slopes with the potential to produce small avalanches (see MIN post here). 

Avalanche activity may decrease with the calming weather and cooling temperatures, but slabs formed during the storm can still be triggered by a rider. 

If you are getting out in the mountains, we strongly encourage people to share observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Storm snow from the last couple of days continues to form slabs, especially in wind exposed terrain. You'll likely find wind hammered hard slab in the alpine. 

A widespread Nov 16th Facet/Crust interface down 50-100cm appears to be bonding well, but keep a close eye on it as the snow load increases. The lower snowpack contains two older crusts that are holding strong.

Snowpack depths range from 75-180 at treeline, with alpine depths exceeding 250 cm. The deepest snowpacks are reported near Blue River and Valemount. Below 1600 m, snowpack depths decrease rapidly.

Early season hazards are very real right now, be wary of thin/shallow snowpacks where the crust isn't supportive, rocks, stumps, creeks, and other sharks could be hidden under a dusting of fresh snow.

• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.