Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 23rd, 2019–Nov 24th, 2019

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary.

We're only expecting a few cm of new snow Saturday night which shouldn't affect avalanche danger much, but watch for the formation of small wind slabs near ridgecrest. Open creeks, just buried logs, stumps, rocks and nasty alder are all present in the mountains right

Confidence

Low - Uncertainties in both the snowpack structure and the weather forecast limit our confidence.

Weather Forecast

It’s late November and it looks like we’ve entered a more winter-like pattern. The boundary region isn’t set to get a whole lot of snow from this system, but we should get a decent little re-fresh.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 800 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level around 1200 m, moderate to strong northwest wind, trace of snow possible.

MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level near valley bottom, light to moderate northwest wind, no significant precipitation expected.

TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level near valley bottom, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The region hasn't picked up much new snow as of Saturday afternoon, but winter is slowly descending to the valleys. This MIN report from the Whitewater Backcountry Wednesday paints a great picture. Total snowpack depths range from about 80 to 100 cm on north facing alpine features. Solar alpine features have about 30 to 80 cm on them. There are multiple crusts in the snowpack, but they've been generally unreactive.

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.