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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 27th, 2023–Nov 28th, 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

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Wind-loaded bowls and gullies may present as an appealing place to get some early-season turns, but they're also the places where avalanches are most likely to occur.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.

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

Snowpack Summary

Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack, at treeline depths are between 40 and 60 cm. Below treeline, snowpack depths taper off quickly.

Surface conditions are variable. Surface hoar growth has been reported in some areas. 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 below exists at or near the ground.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Clear periods, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Valley cloud in many areas, clear above, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C with an alpine temperature inversion.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

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.