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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2024–Nov 27th, 2024

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, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie, St. Mary, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Fresh and reactive wind slabs may form at treeline and above as westerly winds increase on Wednesday.

Start conservative and watch for signs of instability like cracking or whumpfing.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Touchy storm slabs up to size 2 were reported on Tuesday. The slabs were 20-30 cm deep and ran on east through south aspects at treeline and above.

Last weekend a natural avalanche cycle occurred, and numerous storm slab avalanches were reported up to size 2.5 in the alpine and treeline.

Forecast light to moderate winds may form reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain features, especially near ridgeline.

If you head out please consider submitting a MIN.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday and Monday. This brings storm snow accumulations around 50 to 60 cm over the past week. Reports specifically from the Lizard Range show a buried layer of graupel down 60 (ish) cm.

In wind-exposed terrain, the new snow has likely have stiffened into a slab and could be reactive to riders.

The bottom of the snowpack has a crust that sits just above the ground. Snowpack depth is 100-180 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with clear periods. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with some sunny periods. Trace of new snow. 10 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with isolated flurries 1 to 3 cm. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries 1 to 3 cm. 10 to 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

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.