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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 29th, 2023–Nov 30th, 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.

Keep up the restraint with terrain choices while early season conditions prevail. Steep, wind-loaded gullies are the most likely place to trigger an avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

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. Large surface hoar has been spotted growing on most of these surfaces.

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

Wednesday Night

Mainly clear with valley cloud remaining below 2000 m. Northwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with thick valley cloud below 2500 m. South alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Minimal accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 5-20 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -9.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Minimal accumulations. West or southwest alpine wind 15-50 km/h, strongest in the alpine. Treeline temperature -9.

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.