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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 28th, 2023–Nov 29th, 2023

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

Regions

Purcells, South Rockies, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Moyie, St. Mary, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

The main place to trigger an avalanche right now is in a steep, wind-loaded gully. There isn't much holding the snowpack in place! Early Season Conditions prevail.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Last Thursday, a human-triggered size 1 was reported near Invermere at treeline on a west-facing slope. This avalanche failed on the facets at the base of the snowpack.

Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you do head out in the backcountry! 🙏

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are an uninspiring mix of heavily wind-affected surfaces, melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and 10-15 cm of faceting low density snow in sheltered and shaded areas below this elevation. Large surface hoar has been spotted growing on most of these.

A crust with facets or depth hoar exists at or near the ground, which has produced avalanches in the East Purcells and nearby Kananaskis Country. The snowpack is shallower than average for this time of year with depths at treeline ranging from 20 -50 cm, and tapers rapidly below.

Expect early-season conditions.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Valley cloud remaining below 2000 m. west alpine wind 5-40 km/h, strongest in the alpine. Above freezing layer at 2500 m diminishing.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny with valley cloud remaining below 2000 m. Northwest alpine wind 5 to 30 km/h, strongest in the alpine. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday

Becoming cloudy. South alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Southwest alpine wind 5-15 km/h. Treeline temperature -10.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the 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.