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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 29th, 2023–Nov 30th, 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

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Steep, loaded features like gullies are the most likely spot to trigger something right now. Early season conditions make for a rough ride, even in a small avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days. Little change is expected until it snows again.

Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you do head out in the backcountry! 🙏

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are a mix of heavily wind-affected surfaces, sun crust on steep south and west-facing slopes, and 10-15 cm of faceting storm snow in shaded, sheltered areas. Surface hoar has been spotted growing on most of these.

A crust with facets below exists at or near the ground. At treeline, snowpack depths are between 40 and 60 cm. Below treeline, this tapers off quickly.

Expect early season conditions.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Valley cloud rising to 2500 m, clear above. West alpine wind 15-10 km/h.

Thursday

Increasing cloud with valley cloud below 2500 m remaining. Southwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries continuing from overnight. Minimal accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 15-20 km/h. Treeline temperature -9.

Saturday

Cloudy with flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. Southwest alpine wind 30-60 km/h, strongest in the alpine. Treeline temperature -7°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • 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.