Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Carefully assess how the recent snow is bonding to any underlying crusts. Keep in mind it is still early in the season and numerous hazards exist just below the snow surface.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been observed.

Observations are very limited at this time of year. If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 40 cm of recent snow now sits on top of a crust, that varies in thickness and strength. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated with no current layers of note.

Observations are very limited, but a problematic combination of crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack has been reported in upper alpine terrain.

Snowpack depths vary from 50 to 150 cm at the treeline. The deepest snowpacks are found in the more western/coastal regions.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southeast alpine wind 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, south alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Use caution as recent snow may have formed cohesive storm and wind slabs over hard crusts.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of sugary facets overlying a crust has been reported near the base of the snowpack. Observations of this layer have been limited, but it is most likely to be problematic in steep, wind-loaded alpine terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2023 4:00PM

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