Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 23rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead, Moyie, St. Mary, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

The snowpack needs time to adjust to the new snow.
Watch for signs of instability, like whumpfing or shooting cracks.

If you go out, consider making a MIN report.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, several storm slab avalanches were reported. Information is limited but the storm snow is reactive and needs time to bond.

Several large (size 2-2.5) storm slab avalanches occurred in the Lizard Range on Thursday.

If you head out into the backcountry, please submit a MIN. We look at every single oneðŸ™Œ

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall amounts are around 40 to 50 cm in the last three days. The top of the snowpack is generally soft at the top and gets firmer as you go down.
The bottom of the snowpack has a crust from early November that is just above the ground. The crust has acted as a bed surface for recent avalanches.
Snowpack depth is 100-180 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with no new snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 Â°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 Â°C.

Monday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 Â°C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 Â°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow needs time to settle and bond. If triggered, this problem may run on the crust near the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Outflow wind from the prairies may be forming wind slabs, especially at lower elevations.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2024 4:00PM