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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2023–Nov 27th, 2023

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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

It's early season conditions with a thinner than usual snowpack. Watch for hazards under the snow like rocks and stumps - and avoid freshly wind loaded slopes around ridgeline.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a size 1.5 wind slab was explosively triggered near Pincher Creek.

A human triggered size 1 was reported near Invermere on Thursday at treeline on a west facing slope, failing on the facets at the base of the snowpack. In Kananaskis, several natural size 2's also occurred on this layer, potentially triggered by the sun.

Observations are limited, please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are variable. A sun crust can be found on some steep south and west facing slopes.  In the alpine and on exposed treeline features a mix of wind scouring and loading can be found from previous southwest winds.

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.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly clear skies with no new snow expected, northwest winds 20 to 40 km/h.

Monday

Partly cloudy skies with no new snow expected, west alpine winds 25 to 40 km/h, possibly gusting to 60 km/hr in the alpine. Treeline temperature -9°C.

Tuesday

Mostly clear skies, winds remain strong at ridgeline, around 50 km/hr. No new snow. Treeline temperatures around -6°C

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with no new snow. Westerly winds, 20-30 km/hr.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

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.