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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 24th, 2023–Nov 25th, 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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Continually assess the snowpack depth as you move through terrain, especially on wind affected slopes. If the snow is deep enough to make for good riding then it is deep enough to avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural size two wind slab avalanches have been reported in the past few days. These avalanches have generally been in the alpine. Observations are limited this time of year, please consider filling out a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Expect early season conditions with a shallower than average snowpack, the average depth at treeline is between 60 and 100 cm. Below treeline snowpack depths taper off quickly.

Previous southwest winds have pressed the surface or formed small wind slabs in exposed terrain at treeline and above. A sun crust can be found 10 to 30 cm below the surface on some steep south and west facing slopes. At this same depth a layer of small surface hoar exists in sheltered terrain.

Another crust with facets below exists 10 to 20 cm above the ground.

 

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Increasing cloud with no new snow expected, northwest alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperatures falling to -10°C.

Saturday

Potential for valley fog in the morning followed by a mix of sun and cloud and no new snow expected, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9°C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with no new snow expected, northwest alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8°C.

Monday

Mostly clear skies with no new snow expected, west alpine winds 10 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • 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.