Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 29th, 2022–Nov 30th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, Akamina, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Fresh snow may remain sensitive to triggering; don't let good riding pull you into the big steep terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

There are only a few eyes out in the mountains, but I haven't received recent reports of avalanches. If you do get out riding please consider reporting in the MIN,

Snowpack Summary

Upper Snowpack: Recent new snow was redistributed by the wind forming wind slabs. Cold temperatures are starting to break them apart (faceting transforms the slab into less cohesive sugary granules). Below this is a layer of wind hardened or settled snow.

Lower Snowpack: cold temperatures have weakened and faceted the snowpack. A basal rain crust sits near the ground.

Total snowpack depths at treeline elevations are 40-70 cm and in the alpine 60-120 cm. Below treeline elevations remain below the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday NightSoutherly wind, increasing as sunrise approaches. Trace to a few cm of snow. Temps around -15 to -20 C.

WednesdayModerate southerly wind, 5 to maybe 15 cm of snow, Temps in the minus teens.

Thursday

Wind veering to west and snow ending near sunrise. Temps steady in the minus teens. Mix of sun and clouds.

Friday

Dry, Mostly sunny. Continued cold temps. Light westerly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

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.