Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 25th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dnylen, Avalanche Canada

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Assess conditions as you go, it is early season, so field observations are limited.

A weak layer of snow near the bottom of the snowpack means there is the potential for large avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Last week's storm produced some large natural avalanches. Avalanche activity has tapered since the storm. No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

Observations are very limited at this time of year. If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations have made for moist and heavy snow on the surface.

Observations are limited, but a problematic crust/facet combination exists near the base of the snowpack and above 1500m in the Bear Pass and Ningunsaw area (likely elsewhere too). With total snowpack depths around 150 cm at 1000m, this layer is a concern for human triggering, particularly in shallow or variable depth snowpack areas in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Mostly cloudy with light flurries, west alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1°C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with a chance of light flurries, southwest alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.

Monday

Cloudy with 10-15cm accumulation, southwest alpine wind 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -3°C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear with no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Northwest wind accompanying last week's storm have formed lingering wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of sugary facets overlying a crust have been reported near the base of the snowpack. Observations of this layer have been limited, but it is most likely to be problematic in steep, wind-loaded alpine terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Nov 26th, 2023 4:00PM

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