Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 18th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Continue to be on the lookout for recent wind slab formation due to recent winds and snow accumulation.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 20 cm of snow has fallen since the weekend. This new snow has been redistributed by strong southwest winds at higher elevations, creating deep deposits of new snow in lee terrain features.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes and previously wind-affected snow in exposed terrain.

The snowpack depth varies greatly as well, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level climbing to 2000 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain following new snow and strong southwest wind.

Anywhere where more than 25 cm of recent snow has accumulated, there is a greater potential for a storm slab problem to linger.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 19th, 2024 4:00PM

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