Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Avalanche danger is elevated from all the recent storms. Travel cautiously and keep your eyes open for signs of instability.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Explosives triggered many large (size 2) storm slabs on Wednesday and Thursday, mostly in alpine terrain on westerly and northerly slopes. It remains possible that riders could trigger similar avalanches on Friday as all the old snow and incoming snow bond to the snowpack.

Watch out for early-season hazards like creeks, logs, and rocks, particularly at lower elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Intense snow and strong wind from earlier this week have formed widespread storm slabs as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. New snow and strong wind on Friday may form new slabs.

Various melt-freeze crusts are found in the lower half of the snowpack, which are not concerning avalanche layers.

The snowpack is around 120 to 150 cm at treeline and decreases at low elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow and local amounts up to 20 cm possible. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 20 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

New storm slabs may form over the day on Friday. Deeper, older storm and wind slabs could also be triggered by riders, particularly in steep, lee terrain features at higher elevations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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