Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 27th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mconlan,
Avalanche Canada
Watch for wind slabs up high. Assess the bond of all the recent snow to the underlying snowpack, as we're getting to a critical depth where riders could trigger slabs that may propagate far.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent avalanche observations.
Looking forward, a cooling trend may decrease the likelihood of natural avalanches but riders could trigger wind slabs or the weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary.
Please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network to help us and fellow recreationists.
Snowpack Summary
Around 40 to 80 cm of snow accumulated over the past week at higher elevations with strong wind originating from the southwest but recently switching to the northeast. The wind has kept severely wind-exposed terrain bare and it has formed wind slabs in lee terrain features.
The storm snow overlies persistent weak layers formed mid-November of sugary faceted grains and surface hoar in sheltered terrain as well as a hard crust on steep sun-exposed slopes. Treeline and lower alpine are the most suspect elevations.
Average snowfall depths are around 20 to 60 cm below treeline and 100 to 120 cm in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km northeast wind, treeline temperature -16 C.
Monday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 40 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -18 C.
TuesdayPartly cloudy with no precipitation, 20 km/h southeast wind, treeline temperature -22 C.
WednesdayMostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -21 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind has varied from southwest to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects. Use caution entering steep terrain features near ridgelines.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
The past week's storm snow is forming a slab that may not bond well to the underlying snowpack. The layer of concern formed mid-November and is composed of faceted grains, surface hoar, and a hard crust.
Avalanche hazard is unlikely anywhere snowpack depths have yet to overcome ground roughness like brush, trees, and rocks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 28th, 2022 4:00PM
