Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2020–Nov 27th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead.

No significant new snow expected over the next few days, however be cautious in steep open terrain where the snow has been wind-affected.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Mostly clear and windy conditions for the next few days.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine temperatures around -5 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 50-80 km/h wind from the southwest, freezing level climbing to 1500 m with alpine temperature reaching -2 C.

SATURDAY: A light dusting of new snow overnight then clearing throughout the day, light wind with some moderate gusts, freezing level drops to valley bottom and alpine temperatures drop to -10 C.

SUNDAY: Clear skies, 30-50 km/h wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

Observations are limited right now, but there have been no reports of recent avalanches. Over the next few days the surface snow could be blown into unstable slabs in steep wind affected terrain.

We appreciate the recent reports submitted to the Mountain Information Network. Keep them coming!

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths at upper treeline elevations are nearing 100 cm and beginning to exceed the threshold for avalanches, while the snowpack is much thinner in the valleys. 

Windy conditions over the next few days will blow around the 15-25 cm of snow that fell on Tuesday night. There is potential for this snow to form unstable slabs on certain isolated slopes. Reports suggest this snow may sit above a layer of surface hoar in sheltered terrain and above a hard crust in other areas. If wind slabs form above these layers they could be particularly sensitive to triggering.

The lower snowpack consists of crusts. Weak snow may be developing around these crusts in some areas, which will be a snowpack feature to monitor as the season progresses.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old 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.