Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 2nd, 2023–Dec 3rd, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Moyie, Purcells, South Rockies, St. Mary.

Strong winds may build wind slabs in more sheltered areas where surface hoar and faceted snow have been buried. Keep an eye out for snow that feels dense or stiff.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, several skier-triggered dry loose avalanches in steep north-facing terrain were reported near Invermere.

Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you head out in the backcountry!

Snowpack Summary

3 to 5 cm of new snow has buried various surfaces; surface hoar in sheltered terrain, heavily wind-affected in open alpine, melt-freeze crusts on steep solar aspects, and faceted soft snow.

A crust with facets or depth hoar exists at or near the ground. The snowpack is shallower than average for this time of year, with depths at treeline ranging from 20 -50 cm and tapers rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, trace to 3 cm accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, 3 to 8 cm accumulation. Southwest alpine wind increases throughout the day 25 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -7 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy, scattered flurries, trace accumulations. Southwest alpine winds 10 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy mixed precipitation, 10 to 20 cm accumulation of snow switching to rain. Southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The base of our thin snowpack is weak and faceted. Steep pockets of deeper, wind-loaded snow are the most likely to break away from this weak base under the weight of a person or machine.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5