Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Cornices.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Tricky conditions exist.
With persistent layers producing large avalanches, stick to conservative terrain - choose supported, lower angle slopes.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity continues in this region with numerous natural and human triggered avalanches within the storm snow, primarily in wind loaded treeline and alpine features.
Multiple avalanches on the early December interface have occurred over the past five days, on north, east and west facing slopes around 2200 m. This includes large remotely triggered slabs, and human triggered cornice-falls triggering slabs on the slope below.
Snowpack Summary
Light amounts of snow continue to accumulate, falling on wind affected settling storm snow or a melt freeze crust on sun affected slopes. Cornices are large and fragile, with mild temperatures continuing to weaken them.
The upper snowpack continues to settle and bond with recent mild temperatures. A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and in some places surface hoar is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. The distribution is variable throughout this region but it is most prevalent between 1700 to 2300 m. Large avalanches occurred on this layer on Saturday and Sunday, in north through southwest facing slopes above treeline.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanches included cornices and remote triggers - showing a range of sensitivity which brings uncertainty. Avoid large open slopes at treeline, where fragile surface hoar is more likely to be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs near ridgelines and mid slope rollovers. Slabs may step down to buried weak layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have been very reactive recently, and have the potential to trigger large and destructive avalanches on the early December interface. Minimize your exposure, they may pull farther back than you expect.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 24th, 2024 4:00PM
