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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 21st, 2024–Nov 22nd, 2024

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

Glacier.

Be aware that stubborn wind slabs are present in the Alpine and in open Treeline features.

With limited early season options to ride, overcrowding is an issue. Avoid putting yourself below other groups, and if you are above a party, communicate with them and avoid dumping an avalanche on top of them.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday, backcountry reports of rider triggering wind slab from reverse loading winds, on S/SW aspects.

On Tuesday, we had reports of a few rider triggered slabs in the Connaught valley, size 0.5-1.5. The reactivity and distribution of these wind slabs is hard to predict.

Few small natural avalanches along the highway corridor have been observed in the last three days.

Riders are reporting minor sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Recent N/NE winds have formed fresh wind slabs on S/SW terrain which sits beneath 10cm of new snow. Roughly 50 to 70 cm of settling HST sits over the November 9 crust. This crust is present up to 2100 m and higher on solar facing terrain. Below Treeline, the snowpack tapers to 40cms or less, making ski outs treacherous! Expect glaciers to have poor coverage and thin bridging.

Weather Summary

Tonight and into Friday a new low pressure system shifts into southern BC bringing rising freezing levels, strong winds, and snow.

Thurs Night: No precip, Alp low -7°C, light E winds.

Fri: Cloudy/Flurries, Alp high -2°C, Moderate E winds, 1300m FZL

Sat: Flurries, 4cm, Alp high -4°C, Moderate SE winds, 1400m FZL

Sun: Flurries, Alp High -5°C, light SW winds, 1200m FZL

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.