Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 27th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Choose mellow terrain that is sheltered from the wind.
Uncertainty about a persistent weak layer means that it's not time to venture into steep or consequential terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday and Friday, numerous small natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow, especially in steep terrain.
Reports of avalanches on the early December layer have been minimal since December 22, but we aren't sure this layer has healed yet. Last week, it was most active around 2200 m. It may now be harder to trigger, but it could still result in a very large, deadly avalanche. See the photos below for examples.
Snowpack Summary
As moderate snowfall continues, expect to find 30 to 70 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas, and wind slabs on lee slopes below peaks and ridgelines. On sun affected slopes, the recent snow covers a melt freeze crust.
A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and in some places surface hoar is buried 60 to 110 cm deep. The distribution is variable throughout this region but it is most prevalent between 1700 to 2300 m.
Cornices are large and fragile from recent winds and mild temperatures.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, possible hotspots of 20 cm or more. 20 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -5 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, possible hotspots of 15 cm. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- 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.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Continued snowfall is keeping a surface snow avalanche problem alive. Expect slabs to be deeper and more reactive on leeward slopes due to recent south through west wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This layer is getting harder to trigger, but still has potential to produce a very large avalanche.Use extra caution on large open slopes at treeline, where surface hoar is more likely to be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 28th, 2024 4:00PM
