Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2022 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dsaly, Avalanche Canada

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Assess conditions as you travel - snow may hide reactive pockets or, more likely, early-season hazards.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the region. Observations are limited at this time of year, if you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Weekend snowfall accumulation ranged from 10-15 cm near the Duffy and upwards of 35 cm around the Coquihalla and south. This snow mostly covered a crust (or bare rock) at upper elevations and moist snow and dirt at treeline and below.

Below the crust is 40-80 cm of early November snow, which began covering surface roughness at upper elevations. The strength of this basal interface will become more evident with more field observations.

Terrain features poke through a building snowpack that grows from 40-60 cm around 1300-1400 m and upwards of 120 cm in the alpinee. Most solar slopes and below treeline are below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear and cold with increasing clouds. Light northeast wind, treeline low temperatures -20 C.

Tuesday

Cold. Flurries start in the afternoon, with substantial accumulations beginning overnight. Increasing south wind, treeline high temperature -12 C.

Wednesday

Winter storm beginning late Tuesday with precipitation likely falling as snow at most elevations. 10-15 mm by morning and another 10-15 mm through the day, South wind gusting above 60 k/h. Treeline high -10 C, freezing level staying below valley bottom.

Thursday

Cold and clearing. Light northeast wind, treeling high temperature -16 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

While the weekend snowfall favoured the Coquihalla Summit and south, westerly winds have impacted the South Coast Inland equally. Be mindful that winds have shifted more northerly, this could change where wind slabs lurk. Fresh slabs may form through Tuesday as wind increases ahead of the next weather system.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2022 4:00PM