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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2023–Dec 2nd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, Crawford, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Winter is set to arrive in our region this weekend.

Monitor closely how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces and expect avalanche activity to increase.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in our region.

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

Snowpack Summary

New snow is falling on surface conditions that are a mix of surfaces. In shaded sheltered areas, large surface hoar will be covered. On steep southwest-facing slopes, a sun crust may be getting buried. In exposed areas expect the wind to be transporting this new and old low-density snow. Much of the top 10 to 20 cm surface snow will be old faceted snow left from the last storm

A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found just above the ground.

Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack. Coverage is reportedly the poorest in the alpine and below treeline. At treeline, depths are between 60 to 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy, 2 to 5 cm accumulations, winds south to southwest 15 to 25 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation by end of the day, alpine wind south switching to west 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, 10 to 15 cm accumulation from early morning to into the evening, alpine wind 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature reaching -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, alpine wind southwest 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature reaching -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • 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

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.