Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 14th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Winds have increased speed into moderate, gusting strong range, ergo the potential for newly formed pockets of windslabs particularly in Alpine and exposed ridgetop Treeline lee slopes. This has the potential to increase the danger until the impacts of the stronger winds can be ascertained.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Saturday's Maligne field team reports cracking under skis on lee slopes and no new avalanches. Friday's patrol to Beauty creek did not observe any avalanches but visibility was poor.
Snowpack Summary
Incoming snow will fall during windy conditions, potentially forming a thin but reactive windslab. This may form overtop a surface hoar layer that has been found in sheltered Alpine areas down 40-60 cm's. At the bottom of the snowpack there are a variety of early season crusts with large faceted crystals above and below. Both of these layers have been producing sudden planar, compression test results in test profiles.
Weather Summary
Saturday night will be cloudy, flurries, -9 °C, and 20 gusting 50 km/hr SW winds. Sunday's weather is clouds, sun, flurries, -9 °C, 15-35km/hr SW winds. Monday to Wednesday is similar to Sunday but a few degrees colder overall.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Potential incoming snow and wind may develop into thin but reactive windslabs. Avoid wind loaded pockets and evaluate carefully before entering steep and unsupported terrain that could be affected by wind. Windslab avalanches may step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 15th, 2024 4:00PM
