Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2020 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

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Windslabs are widespread in the alpine and even down into treeline. Sheltered areas will provide the best skiing opportunities. Watch for thin areas around these windslabs where they may be easier to trigger. 

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be pretty similar to SUnday with ridgetop winds around 40KPH out of the SW and temperatures around -5C. The next snow in the forecast is expected on monday and its not gonna be much...  

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry sluffing from steep terrain related to wind transport at the upper elevations. No new slab avalanche activity was observed. 

Snowpack Summary

A few cm of new snow fell overnight with 5-8cm depending upon where you go. Unfortunately, the damage has been done by the strong winds earlier this week. Many windward slopes are stripped bare and lee features are loaded with hard windslabs. Watch for thin areas around these windslabs where you may get them to fail. Due to there density they will also likely propagate across a feature. The November crust is down 40-70cm and producing mixed results from Moderate to no result. Evaluate this layer as you travel. Avalanche in the upper snowpack may step down to this interface

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Hard windslabs are widespread in alpine areas and even down into treeline. Listen for that drummy or hollow feel as an indication to be extra careful.    

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Exposed, west facing alpine slopes have been stripped bare. This means the Nov 5 layer will be buried deeper than expected in some areas. In turn, this means that deeper layer will be more stressed with the additional load. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2020 3:00PM

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