Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 26th, 2017 4:55PM

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

Avalanche Canada cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

Watch for fresh winds slabs left in lee terrain in the wake of Sunday's storm.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Freezing level to 1200 metres with alpine temperatures around -6 in the north of the region, -5 in the south.Tuesday: Flurries bringing approximately 10 cm of new snow to the north of the region, closer to 15 in the south. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing level to around 1500 metres with alpine temperatures of -4 in the north of the region and -2 in the south.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace to 5 cm of new snow. Light southwest winds. Freezing level to 1200 metres with alpine temperatures of -5 to -3.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from the north of the region on Sunday showed evidence of a natural avalanche cycle with widespread loose wet avalanching to Size 2 on all aspects and elevations. Natural storm slab and cornice releases to Size 2.5 were also observed in the adjacent Sea to Sky region. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)

Snowpack Summary

Another bout of rain over Saturday night soaked the upper snowpack at all elevations before depositing up to Up to 10 cm of new snow at higher elevations on Sunday morning. Significant new snow is unlikely to have accumulated in the south of the region. Below any new snow accumulations, the rain-soaked upper snowpack is likely in the process of refreezing into a strong capping crust, beginning at higher elevations. Below this developing crust interface, heavy rain from last week eroded snowpack depths significantly, leaving behind a rain-soaked and relatively uniform 90 cm at treeline elevations throughout the region.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Powerful southerly winds formed wind slabs in lee terrain at higher elevations as the storm ended on Sunday. Continued winds and light snowfall may contribute to the problem and keep slabs touchy over the near term.
Use increased caution in lee areas. Recent snowfall and wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 27th, 2017 2:00PM

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