Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 23rd, 2017 4:50PM

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

cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Limited field observations are contributing to low forecast confidence. Friday's rating is biased to the south of the region where new snow has been accumulating rapidly.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: Scattered flurries bringing about 5-10 cm of new snow. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Freezing level to about 1300 metres with alpine temperatures of around -3 to -1. Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate southeast winds. Freezing level to 1600 metres with alpine temperatures of -2 to 0.Sunday: 20-30 cm of new snow to upper elevations, with rain below about 1800 metres. Strong south winds. Freezing level to 2200 metres and alpine temperatures around -1 to +1.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, however touchy new storm slabs have developed at upper elevations over the course of Thursday's continued stormy weather. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

Although recent heavy rain has saturated the upper snowpack throughout the region, a fresh cover of wind affected new snow has been forming storm slabs at all elevations in the south of the region. While limited field observations have led to uncertainty in the composition of the mid and lower snowpack, moist snow is expected to be dominant throughout the snowpack.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Touchy new storm slabs have been forming on the surface as rain transitioned to snow over the course of the storm. The most recent and most rapid loading has occurred in the south of the region.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent snowfall mixed with wind loading has created storm slabs.The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Continued potential for loose wet avalanches exists where the surface has been saturated with rain and at lower elevations where new snow is moist.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2017 2:00PM