Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 25th, 2018 3:39PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

This time of year observations are limited, so make sure to supplement this forecast with your own observations. If you've been out please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network MIN.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy / Alpine temperature 2Â / Light to moderate southwest wind / Freezing level 2000 mTUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries or showers / Alpine temperature 1Â / Light to moderate southwest wind / Freezing level 1800-2000 mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Alpine temperature -2 / Light to moderate west wind / freezing level 1500 m

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Friday show a natural avalanche cycle during the Friday overnight period as well as explosives control in the Fernie area producing numerous storm slab releases reaching up to size 2. This avalanche activity was limited to the depth of our new snow, about 25 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of new snow fell in the region Thursday and Friday. The new snow buried a recently formed layer of weak, feathery surface hoar. Recent winds have since redistributed the new snow. A mixed layer of melt-freeze crusts and sugary facets sits near the base of the snowpack. The snowpack is deepest in the alpine and at tree line, where you might now expect to find total depths of around 70 cm. These depths taper rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow combined with wind leading into the weekend has produced wind slabs in the lee of terrain features.

Watch for signs of instability, such as whumphing, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Nov 26th, 2018 2:00PM