Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Even as storm slabs begin to stabilize, the presence of a more deeply buried weak layer continues to demand conservative terrain selection.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep convexities and areas with variable snow distribution.
- Use extra caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow has formed touchy slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
A crust that formed in October exists near the base of the snowpack and a layer of weak, sugary snow has developed above it. This layer may react to a heavy trigger such as a storm slab release. This would produce a large, destructive avalanche.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
- If triggered, storm slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in large avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
One report from Wednesday discussed several estimated Size 2.5-3 avalanches observed on the Kathlyn face of Hudson Bay Mountain. No other new avalanches have been reported, which likely owes more to a lack of observers than a lack of avalanche activity and potential. Please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network. (MIN)
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths over the region are above average for late November, with approximately 150 cm of settled snow present at treeline elevations and above. Stormy weather over the mid-week delivered about 35 cm of new snow to the region, forming storm slabs which are expected to be particularly reactive in open terrain where wind effects are more pronounced. Mid-treeline and lower elevations did receive some precipitation as rain toward the end of the most recent storm, but his thin rain layer is not expected to offer much bridging strength to the snowpack. About 20-30 cm of recent storm snow lies below this week's accumulations and above the widespread late October crust. This October crust is present near the base of the snowpack at all elevations and features a layer of weak, sugary grains above it. This "crust/facet combo" layer remains an ongoing concern for step-down potential from large triggers such as a storm slab release. The crust is less of a concern below treeline where it is broken up by vegetation near the ground.
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace to 5 cm of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -7.
Sunday: Cloudy with flurries bringing approximately 7 cm of new snow. Moderate southeast winds. Alpine temperatures of -5.
Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Strong southwest winds. Alpine temperatures around -6.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Northwest Inland URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/northwest-inland.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Recent stormy weather formed storm slabs that may remain reactive on Saturday. These storm slabs are widespread but you can expect them to be especially reactive at higher elevations and in wind affected areas with more variable snow distribution.