Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Choose sheltered, low-consequence terrain. Recently formed wind slabs along with a chance of buried weak layers necessitate a conservative approach.
Summary
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.
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
