Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 12th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Email

Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation, small rider triggerable wind slabs may still be found at treeline and above.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has tapered off since the past weekend’s storm. Explosive control on Monday and Tuesday produced size 1.5 wind slab avalanches. These slabs may still be triggerable by riders.

Snowpack Summary

Wind affected snow may be found in exposed terrain at higher elevations.

20 to 30 cm of snow sits over a mix of crusts, surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, and hard wind-affected surfaces. Reports suggest the recent snow is bonding well with the layers below.

Check out this MIN from the Purcell side of this region.

The middle of the snowpack is generally expected to be well-settled and stable. Total snow depths vary from 100 to 150 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mix of clear skies and cloud with trace amounts of snow expected. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, potential for temperature inversion with colder temperatures at lower elevations.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow expected. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C, potential temperature inversion with colder temperatures at lower elevations.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Sunday

Cloudy in the morning and mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. Up to 10 cm of snow possible by early morning. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Small wind slabs near ridge crests may still be sensitive to rider traffic.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 13th, 2024 4:00PM

Login