Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 27th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
dnylen,
Avalanche Canada
A weak layer near the bottom of the snowpack means there is the potential for large natural and human triggered avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Reports of avalanche activity have tapered since the storm but 1 large (size 2.5) natural avalanche in the alpine on a northwest facing slope was reported on Sunday.
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
Warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations have made for a moist and heavy snowpack, at higher elevations 5-15 cm of new snow is now burying an old surface crust.
Observations are limited, but above 1500 m a problematic crust/facet combination exists near the base of the snowpack in the Bear Pass and Ningunsaw's area (likely elsewhere too). With total snowpack depths around 150 cm at 1000 m, this layer is a concern for human triggering, particularly in shallow or variable depth snowpack areas in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Cloudy with snow, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, southwest alpine wind 40 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds with light flurries, northwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, southeast alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 25cm of new snow.
Problems
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
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
New small windslabs will build in deeper snowpack areas, lee features, and sharp breaks in terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 28th, 2023 4:00PM
