Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Seek out low-angle, sheltered terrain.
Uncertainty exists over buried weak layers, wind slabs could step down producing very large avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday evidence of natural avalanche activity was observed to size 2, along with rider triggered avalanches to size 1.
On Thursday and Friday size 3 avalanches ran on north facing slopes, stepping down to the crust buried 100–150 cm deep. Uncertainty exists over the reactivity of this layer moving forward.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow from the past 10 days has reached around 100 cm with wind affect at higher elevations. This sits over a crust from mid December which exists to around 2000 m.
Another crust is buried 90 to 160 cm deep, with a layer of surface hoar also found in wind sheltered terrain (most likely preserved at treeline). While this layer has produced large avalanches recently, now triggering is thought to be most likely through large loads (like a cornice fall) or a smaller avalanche stepping down.
At lower elevations surface snow is likely moist, or refrozen into a thick crust. For an update about local snow conditions check out this blog from Dec 26th.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
MondayA mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactivity is expected on convex rolls, near ridgelines and cross loaded slopes.
Small avalanches could step down to buried crusts, most likely in sheltered treeline terrain where surface hoar is preserved or thin alpine features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2024 4:00PM
