Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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6:50 AM Update: Dial back your objectives if you are finding signs of instability in the storm snow. Storm slabs may have the potential to propagate far.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Observations have been limited in this region. Riders on Thursday reported avoiding ridgetop drop-ins because of the presence of slabby snow conditions.

Looking ahead, expect that storm slabs will continue to be reactive.

Please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

A stormy Saturday where 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected by the end of the day. This snow will be transported by moderate to strong southwesterly winds, building reactive cornices and slabs on lee slopes.

The accumulated storm snow may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust, which could result in very large avalanches. This crust is 60 to 100 cm deep. A layer of surface hoar may exist just above this crust in sheltered terrain at treeline.

Snow depths at treeline vary between 90 to 160 cm.

Check out this MIN report of conditions.

Weather Summary

Friday NightCloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy with trace precipitation. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

MondayMostly cloudy. 15 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • It's a good day to make conservative terrain choices.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Expect reactive deposits of new snow, especially in lee areas where the wind has transported snow into deeper deposits.

These avalanches could fail or step down to buried crusts in the snowpack, creating very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 28th, 2024 4:00PM

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