Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 28th, 2018 5:19PM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

We have no recent observations, but it looks wet and soggy at lower elevations. The exception is in the alpine where storm slabs and cornices likely pose a serious threat. Please let us know what you're seeing on the MIN!

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

The storm has passed, and now are now transitioning towards a period of pronounced high pressure. The forecast period is marked by cooler temps, very little precipitation and the potential for clearing skies by the weekend.WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level holding around 1000 m, light variable wind, trace of precipitation possible. THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 800 m, light west/southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.FRIDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 800 m, light west/southwest wind, trace of precipitation possible.SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 600 m, light east/northeast wind, no significant precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches reported.Â Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

Before the most recent storm, snow depths were around 50 to 90 cm at treeline and alpine elevations. Monday and Tuesday's intense precipitation event probably rain-soaked the existing snowpack up to about 1900 m. Temperatures remained cool on Tuesday above 1900 m, when 15 to 20 cm of snow fell. Moderate to strong south/southwest wind on Monday and Tuesday likely formed storm slabs, cornices, and wind damaged snow in high elevation alpine terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Soft slabs up to 20 cm in depth likely exist in the alpine. Cooling temperatures should reduce the slabs sensitivity to human triggering, but you need to be mindful of this problem, especially in extreme terrain and immediately lee of ridgecrest.

If triggered, storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in alpine lees. Recent snowfall mixed with wind loading has created storm slabs.Be cautious around mid-slope terrain features like ridges and ribs where slabs may be deeper.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices have formed on many alpine ridgelines. These cornices may be large and weak. Do not trust them and avoid travel on or underneath them.

Stay well back from cornices when traveling on ridgelines.Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 29th, 2018 2:00PM