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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2024–Dec 17th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, North Okanagan, Rossland, Shuswap, South Okanagan, Valhalla, Ymir.

As the trees get thinner, start thinking about wind slabs and avoiding areas that have been loaded.

Start with small slopes and progress as you learn about the snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday near Nelson, there were a few small (size 1 to 1.5) storm and wind slabs triggered. Occurring at treeline on north to northeast aspects.

On Saturday, several small storm slab avalanches were reportedly triggered by riders as well as some large (size 2) explosive-triggered slabs.

In the Okanagan, there were also a few large natural wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow fell on Saturday accompanied by moderate to strong southwest wind forming larger deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain, this new snow could overlie weak surface hoar crystals.

A crust from freezing rain can be found down 20 to 40 cm. Where this crust is thin or not present a layer of surface hoar is possible.

The lower snowpack is well-settled, dense, and generally strong. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 20 to 50 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Sunny with cloud increasing in the afternoon. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for wind-loaded pockets at treeline and above. This is where you're most likely to trigger an avalanche.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2