Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 25th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Cornices and Wet Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. A series of storms over the past 72 hrs have brought up to 100 cm and strong winds. Expecting another 100-plus centimeters!

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches were observed in the Bear Pass area over the past three days as a result of the continuing storm systems. These ranged from size 1 (small) to size 3.5 (very large).

Over the past 24hr period numerous naturally occurring wind slabs have been observed mostly on steep north-aspect terrain all between size 2 to 3.5 (large to very large)

Snowpack Summary

Alpine and treeline terrain current storm snow amounts totals of 70 cm to 80 cm of new snow. Areas on the western border of this region have reported amounts exceeding 100cm all amounts have accumulated over the past 72 hrs. This new snow overlies a hard old surface previously created during the mid-November cool period. A layer of surface hoar formed in early November and can be found primarily in isolated protected terrain now down 70-80 cm.

The current height of snow is variable between 150 cm and 200 cm.

The snowpack just below the 1000-meter mark has seen significant rain and has rapidly settled and is currently saturated with water.

Weather Summary

A more Northwestern weather system lasting until Saturday evening heavy snowfall to the region, intense to nearing extreme wind in the alpine, and progressively cooling temperatures. Snowfall amounts will be heaviest in areas close to the coast. Expected on Saturday night a decrease in temperature as freezing levels begin to drop.

Friday Night

Cloudy with heavy snowfall, accumulation 30 cm to 70 cm, Building southwest wind to 100km/hr, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level maintaining at 800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 50 cm to 80 cm, 60 to 90 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level maintaining at 800 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm to 10 cm, 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 0 cm to 5 cm. 20 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C, freezing level 100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Strong to extreme winds have formed wind slabs on mid-slope areas and areas protected from the wind such as gulleys and features at the base of cliffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Expect to encounter newly formed and weak cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs

Expect this problem to be found below 700 meters and were heavy rainfall has occured.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Nov 26th, 2022 4:00PM

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