Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 30th, 2020 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jmacpherson, Avalanche Canada

Email

Very windy again today. Caution on any snow that has been wind affected or lee loaded. Approach lee features and gullies with caution.     

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Summary

Evidence of widespread wind slabs at tree line and above. The lee features and cross loaded gullies are especially looking fat from last week's wind events. The November crust is down 40-100cm and is producing anywhere from moderate to no results.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Hard windslabs are widespread in alpine areas and even down into treeline. Listen for that drummy or hollow feel as an indication to be extra careful.    

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Exposed, west facing alpine slopes have been stripped bare. This means the Nov 5 layer will be buried deeper than expected in some areas. In turn, this means that deeper layer will be more stressed with the additional load. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Dec 1st, 2020 3:00PM