Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 24th, 2019 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada cgarritty, Avalanche Canada

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Venture cautiously as you investigate the outcome of the storm. Use this forecast as an initial assessment and gather information as you travel. Remember to post your observations to the Mountain Information Network!

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate northwest winds.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate northeast winds increasing over the day. Alpine high temperatures around -10, cooling over the day.

Wednesday: Sunny. Moderate to strong northeast winds. Alpine high temperatures around -16.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have yet been reported in the region, but it's safe to assume Saturday's storm caused natural avalanche activity in at higher elevations. 

For the early part of this week, the focus remains on the new snow, particularly in areas where winds may have blown it into deep and reactive wind slabs.

Concern is reduced in areas where the new snow wasn't quite able to overcome the depth of ground roughness.

Snowpack Summary

25 to 30 cm of new snow accumulated in the region over the course of Saturday's storm. Observations in the region are limited, but we have indications that for most areas where previous snow cover existed, the new snow buried a supportive melt-freeze crust.

The new snow is not expected to bond well to this surface over the near term.

Total snow depths are likely approaching 50-70 cm at alpine elevations in the Smithers area, with depths diminishing rapidly with elevation below 1500 metres.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Snow from Saturday's storm is likely to have been blown into reactive wind slabs at higher elevations. These slabs are unlikely to form a solid bond with the previous surface over the near term.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 25th, 2019 5:00PM