Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 16th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Be prepared to dial back your terrain choice as the weather rolls in.
New storm and wind slabs will likely form in the afternoon.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several small natural slab avalanches were observed in steep terrain at treeline over the weekend.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
By 4 pm on Tuesday an additional 35 cm of storm snow may have fallen. This will be accompanied by strong southeast winds forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects.
A prominent crust is down 50 to 80 cm at treeline. A layer of surface hoar may be found in sheltered areas at treeline at this depth but it’s distribution is uncertain.
Check out this MIN from Knucklheads
Snow depths at treeline vary significantly across the region, ranging from 65 cm to 200 cm and taper substantially at elevations below 1000 m.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of snow expected. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow expected. 40 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising throughout the day to 1800 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning and clearing late in the afternoon. Up to 70 cm mm of precipitation by early morning, snow at treeline and above with rain below. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind shifting to west by early morning and then easing throughout the day. Freezing level around 1800 m and falling throughout the day.
Thursday
Cloudy. 35 to 55 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 2300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
New storm and wind slabs will likely form throughout the day. The largest and most reactive slabs will likely be found on northerly aspects at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2024 4:00PM
