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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 22nd, 2024–Dec 23rd, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.

Choose sheltered, low-consequence terrain. Recently formed wind slabs along with a chance of buried weak layers necessitate a conservative approach.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Multiple wind slab avalanches were reported on Saturday up to size 1.5, both skier and explosive triggered. All these avalanches occurred in alpine terrain, primarily on north-facing terrain.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow has been redistributed in deeper deposits in lee-facing terrain at higher elevations due to southwest winds.

The mid-snowpack may hold a weak surface hoar or facets layer on shaded slopes and a sun crust on south-facing slopes, buried 30 to 60 cm deep.

Near Invermere, the snowpack base is weak, with faceted snow over an October crust. This layer likely exists region-wide but has only shown signs of instability near Invermere.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggering at upper elevations.

Wind slabs have the potential to step down to buried weak layers, resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

In the Invermere area, weak faceted snow at the base of the snowpack remains a concern. Avalanches have occurred on steep, smooth north-facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow and weak.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5