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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2024–Dec 4th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Kokanee.

Exercise caution in steep, wind-affected terrain.

Warm daytime temperatures require extra caution on steep, sun-exposed slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday warming temperatures in the PM initiated small (size 1) loose wet avalanche on steep south facing terrain. Last week explosives testing triggered several small and large (size 1 to 2) slabs, mostly on south and southwest aspects. Old storm snow is generally well-bonded, except possibly in areas with recent wind loading.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar has developed in many areas, while steep, south-facing slopes are warming during the day and forming a thin crust as temperatures drop. In sheltered zones, the upper 40–70 cm of snow remains soft, though wind exposure has redistributed snow in open terrain.

The snowpack is well-settled, dense, and generally strong, with a buried surface hoar layer found 60 to 80 cm below the surface.

Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly clear. 10 to 15 km/h northwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C

Wednesday

Mainly clear. 5 to 10 km/h southwest ridge top winds. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridge top wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.