Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 24th, 2012 9:18AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada swerner, Avalanche Canada

This bulletin is based on limited data. Local variations in conditions are likely to exist. Check out the Forecasters Blog for further details on interpreting early season bulletins.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

Weather Forecast

The weather is doing a shift from a fairly active pattern to a more benign pattern through the forecast period. A cooler, dryer NW flow will be entering the mountains with patches of lower level clouds and sunny periods in the alpine. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom, rising to 1200 m in the afternoons. Ridgetop winds will generally be light from the NW, switching to a Westerly flow on Tuesday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported. If you and your friends have been out exploring and riding in the backcountry, and have some observations to share please send an email to forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Snowpack Summary

The previous storm has formed new storm slabs which may have buried existing wind slabs. Storm slabs may be touchy and easy to trigger and may take a couple days before they settle out. Ridgetop winds will be switching from the NW through the weekend. This may form wind slabs on other slopes that may surprise you. A crust is found at lower elevations under this past weeks snow accumulations, I have no information in regards to how the snowpack is bonding to this crust, and what is happening below the crust. I do know that it exists near the bottom of the pack. This crust has been responsible for avalanches in adjacent regions, so I suggest you keep it in the back of your mind while traveling. Dig down, do some detective, and see how the snowpack is reacting in your neck of the woods. 

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
Recent snow has continued to build storm slabs. They may be touchy to rider triggers and require a few days to settle and bond to the upper snowpack. Winds slabs have formed on lee slopes and ridges. Use caution with changing winds and patterns.
Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.>Use ridges or ribs and knolls to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Nov 25th, 2012 2:00PM