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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2023–Dec 2nd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells, South Rockies, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Moyie, St. Mary, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

A little bit of new snow may cover some of the early-season obstacles. Keep your guard up and continue to watch for shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

New snow will bury various surfaces; surface hoar in sheltered terrain, heavily wind-affected in open alpine, melt-freeze crusts on steep solar aspects, and faceted soft snow.

A crust with facets or depth hoar exists at or near the ground. The snowpack is shallower than average for this time of year, with depths at treeline ranging from 20 -50 cm and tapers rapidly below.

Expect early season conditions.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Minimal accumulations. Southwest wind 20 to 25 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries continuing from overnight. 3 to 5 cm accumulations. Southwest wind 30 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries 3 to 5 cm accumulation. Southwest wind 25 to 40 km/h, increasing, strongest in the alpine. Treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds, scattered flurries, trace accumulations. Westerly winds 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • 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

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.