Avalanche Forecast

3 - 13

A strong SW flow continues through Tuesday night into Wedsesday. Ridgetop and treeline winds will continue to be strong from the SW. Light amounts of precipitation are expected tonight, with moderate amounts through Wednesday. Freezing levels will start to fall later tonight through the rest of the week. Temperatures in the alpine will be near -6 overnight and Wednesday. Thursday alpine temps will fall near -10. The arctic front moving south will influence a cooler, dryer Thursday.

No current avalanche observations have been submitted. I suspect there has been a natural cycle in the alpine and possible at treeline due to the current weather and conditions. If you and your friends have been out exploring and riding in the backcountry, and have some snowpack, and/ or avalanche observations to share, please send them to forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack observations and information are very limited, and conditions across the region are likely to vary. Early season forecasting generally relies heavily on the weather.In the alpine I suspect anywhere from 150-200 cm of snow. Storms slabs may be widespread in the alpine and treeline elevations and wind slabs are likely found on lee slopes and behind ridge crests. An couple early season weak layers have been reported. The most reactive being a surface hoar layer that was buried on November 17th. This is down 25-50 cm and said to be reactive. The early November crust also exists deeper in the snowpack and widespread in the alpine. At this point it seems to be unreactive in the Dogtooth Range, but may catch you by surprise in other parts of the region. Snow depths at treeline are roughly sitting around 50-100 cm in depth, and below treeline snow levels may still be below threshold.