Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 22nd, 2019 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Jesse Milner, Parks Canada

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Winter is on its way! Forecast snow amounts are uncertain. Expect the hazard to increase with the incoming wind and snow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Winter is on its way.

Saturday: Periods of snow. Up to 20cm of new snow with light to moderate west winds. Alpine temps around -5 and freezing levels in the valleys.

Sunday: Flurries with up to 10cm with moderate to strong westerly winds and cooler temps from -5 to -10

For more details: Avalanche Canada's, Mountain Weather Forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Variable surfaces including temp/rain crust, hard wind press and loose snow sit above the Nov. rain crust which goes as high as 2200m. Total snow pack height in alpine is around 45-85 cm. A variety of surfaces in the alpine from wind pressed/scoured features to wind slabs in lee features in the alpine. Surface hoar currently waiting to be buried.

Avalanche Summary

Previous strong winds transported old snow through the high alpine peaks and ridge tops. Hazard can be expected to increase in isolated areas where wind effect and loading is visible. No natural activity observed or reported in the forecast region. The storm pushing in on Saturday night will most likely elevate the avalanche activity.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fairly recent winds have redistributed snow into windslabs in the high alpine lee features. With the incoming storm expect more wind and storm slab development

  • Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 23rd, 2019 4:00PM

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