Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 20th, 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
Strong southerly winds may form reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes at treeline and above.
Whumpfing and shooting cracks in the snowpack are indicators of unstable conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.
Observations have been limited. Please consider sharing your observations through the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of fresh snow sits above colder, faceted and wind-affected snow. Changing winds may have formed fresh wind slabs at treeline and above.
The crust from early December is now buried 20 to 40 cm. In some areas, large surface hoar crystals are found at this interface. We are trying to track this surface hoard distribution across the region - most recently, the layer was reactive to skiers in the Ningunsaw area.
Below, the lower snowpack has no layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Friday night
Cloudy. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with isolated flurries 2 to 5 cm. 35 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C and alpine temperatures near 0 °C due to a weak, above freezing layer.
Sunday
Snow 3 to 7 cm. 35 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Monday
Snow 5 to 10 cm. 25 gusting to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Steady winds will continue to impact snow in open terrain. Investigate for wind slab around ridges or lee features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 21st, 2024 4:00PM
