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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 29th, 2023–Nov 30th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Elkford East, Elkford West, Moyie, Purcells, South Rockies, St. Mary.

Keep up the restraint with terrain choices while early season conditions prevail. Steep, wind-loaded gullies are the most likely place to trigger an avalanche.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are an uninspiring mix of heavily wind-affected surfaces, melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and 10-15 cm of faceting low density snow in sheltered and shaded areas. Large surface hoar has been spotted growing on most of these surfaces.

A crust with facets or depth hoar exists at or near the ground, which has produced avalanches in the East Purcells and nearby Kananaskis Country. The snowpack is shallower than average for this time of year with depths at treeline ranging from 20 -50 cm, and tapers rapidly below.

Expect early season conditions.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mainly clear with valley cloud remaining below 2000 m. Northwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h.

Thursday

Partly cloudy with thick valley cloud below 2500 m. South alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Minimal accumulations. Southwest alpine wind 5-20 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -9.

Saturday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Minimal accumulations. West or southwest alpine wind 15-50 km/h, strongest in the alpine. Treeline temperature -9.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

The base of our thin snowpack is weak and faceted. Steep pockets of deeper, wind-loaded snow are the most likely to break away from this weak base under the weight of a person or machine.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2