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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 23rd, 2023–Nov 24th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season

Regions

Glacier.

Expect the sun and warm temps to trigger small, loose avalanches on Friday.

Many early season hazards are present in this below average snowpack.

The Winter Permit System is in effect! Take the quiz and get your permit.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, we observed numerous solar triggered, loose, dry avalanches size 1. Expect this activity to continue on Friday, with clear skies and a potential inversion.

On Wednesday, we observed one natural avalanche sz 2, along the highway corridor, from the steep terrain off Mt MacDonald.

If you witness avalanches on your backcountry tour, please submit a MIN with your observations.

Snowpack Summary

Expect a surface crust forming on steep terrain facing the sun. 10-15 cm below the surface is a thin crust on steep solar aspects and spotty surface hoar.

The height of snow at treeline is approx. 80cm, which is 40cm below average. Expect many rocks/trees lurking at and just below the snow surface.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets and may collapse in shallow, rocky zones, producing large "whumpfs".

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure brings an extended period of dry conditions.

Tonight: Few clouds, Light ridge winds, Alp low -7*C, Fz level: Valley bottom

Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, light N winds, Alp high -1*C, Fz level: 1300m

Fri: Mix of sun/cloud, light NW winds, Alp high -2*C, Fz level: 1100m

Detailed weather forecasts can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.