Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 26th, 2018 5:32PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

South Coast Inland.

Wind stiffened storm slabs are expected to remain sensitive to human triggering throughout the day Tuesday even as the storm begins to relent.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

An atmospheric river is expected to spill over into the region delivering strong to extreme wind, warm temperatures and a bit of precipitation through Tuesday. The overall flow should become more westerly Tuesday night allowing the freezing level to lower. A weak ridge is anticipated for the latter half of the week with potential for another significant series of storms by the weekend.MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 2000 m, extreme southwest wind, 5 to 25 mm of precipitation falling as snow at upper elevations. TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level beginning around 2000 m lowering to around 1800 m in the afternoon, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 10 mm of precipitation possible.WEDNESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level holding around 1000 m, moderate southwest wind, 2 to 8 mm of precipitation possible.THURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, clearing in the afternoon, freezing level around 1000 m, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches observed.Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.

Snowpack Summary

Snow depths are around 50 to 90 cm at treeline and alpine elevations, although there may be deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. Approximately 30 cm of recent snow sits above a layer of surface hoar (north aspects) or a crust (south aspects). All but the highest elevation and/or smoothest slopes have insufficient snow cover for avalanches to occur at this time.

Problems

Storm Slabs

This storm has likely delivered enough new snow to the alpine to form touchy new storm slabs up high. Ongoing strong winds out of the south/southwest have likely built deeper, more sensitive slabs in the lee of wind-exposed features.

Be careful around wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll-overs.Fresh sensitive cornices likely loom large on many ridgelines, avoid travel on or underneath them.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

Rainfall is expected to weaken surface snow and promote active loose wet avalanche conditions on Tuesday.

Use extra caution around steeper slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Nov 27th, 2018 2:00PM