Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 10th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, 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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Slabs may form as the snow continues to settle. Where formed, riders could trigger them if they rest on a weak layer.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Monday saw some more small to large (size 1 to 2) avalanches triggered by riders and explosives. This adds to the many avalanches observed since the weekend, all generally being 20 to 60 cm in predominantly north to east alpine terrain. Many of the avalanches occurred where the snow rested on weak surface hoar crystals.

Although conditions are improving, it remains possible that riders could trigger similar avalanches going forward.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 to 50 cm of snow accumulated last weekend and it has remained relatively cool and cloudy since then. The snow may remain soft without slab properties in some locations, but as the snow settles it may form a slab. This is particularly problematic where the snow may rest on weak surface hoar crystals in openings below treeline, at treeline elevations, and at lower alpine elevations. Otherwise, it rests on a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects at low elevations.

In exposed alpine terrain, westerly wind may have formed small wind slabs in lee terrain features.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong without any deeper concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Increasing clouds with 1 to 3 cm of later afternoon snow. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

As last weekend's storm snow settles, it may form a slab that could be triggered by riders. This is predominantly a problem where the snow overlies weak surface hoar crystals. Use caution in steep openings sheltered from the wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 11th, 2024 4:00PM

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