Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 10th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
There is still good skiing to be found in areas sheltered from the wind.
The crust and facet layers at the bottom of the snowpack are still lurking. It's a good time to dig down to them, and see what you are skiing on.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
One natural size 2 avalanche, failing on the early season crust, and two natural size 2 windslabs were observed on southwest and south aspects on Monday, December 9th near the Icefields.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm recent storm snow fell over the weekend. Moderate to strong winds at treeline and above have redistributed the fresh snow into windslabs. There is a surface hoar layer that has been found in sheltered Alpine areas down 40-60 cm's. At the bottom of the snowpack there are a variety of early season crusts with large faceted crystals above and below. Both of these layers have been producing sudden planar, compression test results in test profiles.
Weather Summary
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace amounts of precipitation. Alpine temperature: High -4 °C. Winds at ridgeline 10 km/h from the west.
ThursdayCloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -4 °C. Winds at ridgeline 10 km/h from the west.
FridayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of precipitation. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have created windslabs in leeward features. Avoid wind loaded pockets and evaluate carefully before entering steep and unsupported terrain that could be affected by wind. Windslab avalanches may step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 13th, 2024 4:00PM
