Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 20th, 2023–Nov 21st, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Early Season

Regions

Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

Tuesday's forecasted extreme winds have the potential to increase avalanche reactivity.

Early Season Conditions persist, so travel with caution.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol occurred on Sunday or Monday. Whumphing was reported in the Hilda ridge area on Saturday. Winds will be extreme on Tuesday which could increase avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is very shallow with only 25-40cm at treeline. The alpine is heavily wind effected with scoured windward slopes and ridges. Snowpack can be a meter deep in leeward features.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Winds on Tuesday may be in the 100km/hr range and zero degrees Celsius at 2700m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

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.