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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2024–Nov 27th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

As wind speeds increase throughout the day, wind slabs will become an increasing concern, especially at higher elevations.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Observations remain very limited this early in the season. If you head into the backcountry, please post to the Mountain Information Network

Snowpack Summary

Recent winds from various directions have created highly wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations, with wind slabs potentially existing on all aspects. Up to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a settled mid-snowpack in sheltered areas.

A crust formed in early November is present in the lower snowpack, with possible faceted crystals above or below it. Large depth hoar crystals exist at the base of the snowpack, particularly in the northern part of the region.

Snowpack depth at treeline is about 100 cm, and most below treeline slopes are not yet at the threshold to avalanche.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, winds increasing throughout the day. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.