Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2023–Nov 27th, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Regions

Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

The snowpack is generally shallow but avalanches are still possible. Watch for a slab sitting over the weak base of facets.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed Saturday and visibility was excellent. No patrol Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind has scoured exposed areas at tree line and above. Wind loaded locations have between 25-45cm of snow sitting over a faceted base. In general, the snowpack is shallow but the structure fits the definition for Deep Persistent Slab.

Surface hoar up to 10mm has grown in recent cold temperatures.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

A ridge of high pressure continues to maintain dry conditions.

Terrain and Travel Advice

If it's deep enough to ride, it's deep enough to slide (avalanche).

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.