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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 22nd, 2023–Nov 23rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 many early season hazards.

A small avalanche could have large consequences in this shallow snowpack.

The Winter Permit System is in effect! Take the quiz, get your permit, and know what areas are open before you head out.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

We observed one new natural avalanche sz 2, along the highway corridor today, from the steep terrain off Mt MacDonald.

On Monday, a field team observed a sz 2, failing on the ground, near Christiana Ridge from a very steep SE aspect, likely from Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

The height of snow at treeline is approx. 90cm, which is 40cm below average. 5-10cm of new snow buried a thin crust on steep solar aspects and spotty surface hoar.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets and may collapse in shallow, rocky zones, producing large "whumpfs". Snow depth is highly variable; expect many rocks/trees lurking at and just below the snow surface.

Weather Summary

An extended period of dry conditions is forecasted.

Tonight: Clearing, Trace snow, Light N winds, Alp low -5*C

Thurs: Mix of sun/cloud, light NE winds, Alp high -7*C

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

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.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.