Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 15th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Storm Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Carefully evaluate both the terrain and the snowpack. Avoid slopes directly below ridgetops, where deep, freshly formed wind-loaded snow pillows are present.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There are no recent avalanche reports for this region.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The weekend storm snow has likely buried existing surface hoar that was previously found in wind-sheltered, and sun-sheltered open terrain. A thin melt-freeze crust may exist on south-facing slopes. Expect to find new winds slab development as the weekend southerly winds have transported new snow onto north aspect terrain.
Above 1800 m on non-solar slopes, you can find 20 to 40 cm of snow above a thin crust. The crust disappears as you travel higher into the alpine.
Below 1800 m, 15 to 25 cm of snow sits overtop a thicker and more robust crust.
Snow depths at treeline are around 80-90 cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 500 m.
Monday
Snow 1 to 5 cm. 10 to 15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday
Snow flurries 1 to 2 cm. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Wednesday
Snow with some rain 5 to 10 mm. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
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.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are likely to have formed at higher elevations near ridge top where new snow has been loaded into leeward terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Buried surface hoar in sheltered terrain is expected to be reactive to human triggers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 16th, 2024 4:00PM
