Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 29th, 2021 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

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Keep your guard up as the wind will shift to the east and build fresh wind slabs in the alpine. Wind slabs are particularly reactive during their formation.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Strong outflow winds will push drier and colder air across White Pass as the Arctic front finally moves further south. Flurries will be on and off, creating blowing snow conditions.

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries / Strong, easterly winds / Low of -14

TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries 3-5 cm / Strong, easterly winds / High of -10

WEDNESDAY: Light snow 3-5 cm / Strong, southwesterly winds / High of -8

THURSDAY: Light snow 3-5 cm / Strong, southwesterly winds / High of -10

Avalanche Summary

Large natural avalanches (size 2 and 2.5) were released recently on alpine lee features. Snowmobilers also triggered size 2 wind slab avalanches (size 2) near Fraser. Lots of whumpfing and cracking have been notified across the region and are most likely to be associated with early-season shallow snowpack

If you go out in the mountains, please post your observations and/or photos to the Mountain Information Network!

Snowpack Summary

On most aspects above treeline, wind-affected, wind-pressed, and wind slabs are present due to continued strong southwesterly winds. Little information is available about a weak layer of facets over a crust reported lower in the snowpack. Snow depths are approximately 80 cm at treeline and 100-120 in the alpine.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Last week's snowfalls and consistent strong southwesterly wind have formed thick wind slabs reactive to human triggers. With outflow wind forecasted and light snowfalls, fresh wind slabs will develop almost anywhere in the alpine and on cross-loaded areas features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2

Valid until: Nov 30th, 2021 4:00PM