Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 26th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Strong northeast wind is forecast for Wednesday. Wind slabs in alpine terrain are the main concern.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 800 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly clear skies, strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

THURSDAY: Clear skies, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

FRIDAY: Clear skies, light northeast wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Observations are very limited right now, with recreationists just starting to get into the mountains and operations starting up. We haven't received any reports of recent avalanche activity. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche would be where the ground is smooth, such as on glaciers, rock slabs, scree slopes, or grassy slopes.

If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing that information with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Strong wind from the northeast may redistribute snow in the alpine, stripping snow from previously wind-loaded northerly features and now loading south to west terrain features. This snow covers a variety of surfaces, from bare ground below treeline, around 50 cm of snow intermixed with trees and rocks at treeline and lower alpine elevations, and upwards of 100 cm of snow above 2000 m.

The new snow may not bond well to an underlying hard melt-freeze crust. Use particular caution where the snow surface appears smooth, as this may mean an avalanche could propagate over a wider area.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may form on all aspects due to wind that started from the southwest and switched to the northeast. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche is at alpine elevations where the ground roughness is smooth, for example on glacial ice, scree slopes, grassy slopes, or rock slabs. With the lack of field observations, it is best to recreate conservatively, be on high alert, and conduct your own assessments throughout the day.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 27th, 2019 5:00PM