Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 11th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on specific terrain features. Note the distribution of the avalanche problems (below), tune into conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday and Tuesday, avalanche activity was limited to a few natural wind slabs in north-facing alpine terrain, and dry loose sluffing in wind sheltered areas.
On the weekend, natural storm slabs were reported up to size 2 and explosive and skier controlled deep persistent slabs were reported to size 1.5 on north facing slopes around treeline near Invermere.
Observations are limited, please submit a MIN if you head into the backcountry!
Snowpack Summary
10-15 cm of wind affected snow sits on sun crusts on south facing slopes, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and previously wind-affected snow.
In the Invermere area, avalanches have been failing on weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack. So far reports suggest it does not extend throughout the forecast region.
Treeline snow depths are generally 50 to 70 cm, with deeper wind-loaded pockets in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. <10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. <10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny breaks and 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind affected snow sits over weak surfaces including surface hoar, which remains triggerable by riders. Wind slabs may step down to the weak crystals at the base of the snowpack, producing larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack remains a concern primarily in the Invermere area. Recent activity has occurred on steep, smooth north facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow (thin) and weak.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 12th, 2024 4:00PM
