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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 25th, 2022–Nov 26th, 2022

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Stewart.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. A series of storms over the past 72 hrs have brought up to 100 cm and strong winds. Expecting another 100-plus centimeters!

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches were observed in the Bear Pass area over the past three days as a result of the continuing storm systems. These ranged from size 1 (small) to size 3.5 (very large).

Over the past 24hr period numerous naturally occurring wind slabs have been observed mostly on steep north-aspect terrain all between size 2 to 3.5 (large to very large)

Snowpack Summary

Alpine and treeline terrain current storm snow amounts totals of 70 cm to 80 cm of new snow. Areas on the western border of this region have reported amounts exceeding 100cm all amounts have accumulated over the past 72 hrs. This new snow overlies a hard old surface previously created during the mid-November cool period. A layer of surface hoar formed in early November and can be found primarily in isolated protected terrain now down 70-80 cm.

The current height of snow is variable between 150 cm and 200 cm.

The snowpack just below the 1000-meter mark has seen significant rain and has rapidly settled and is currently saturated with water.

Weather Summary

A more Northwestern weather system lasting until Saturday evening heavy snowfall to the region, intense to nearing extreme wind in the alpine, and progressively cooling temperatures. Snowfall amounts will be heaviest in areas close to the coast. Expected on Saturday night a decrease in temperature as freezing levels begin to drop.

Friday Night

Cloudy with heavy snowfall, accumulation 30 cm to 70 cm, Building southwest wind to 100km/hr, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level maintaining at 800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 50 cm to 80 cm, 60 to 90 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level maintaining at 800 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm to 10 cm, 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level 200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 0 cm to 5 cm. 20 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C, freezing level 100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.