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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2024–Dec 31st, 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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Sea To Sky, Sky Pilot, Spearhead, Tantalus.

Monitor surface conditions as you gain elevation and move into wind affected terrain.

Slabs likely remain triggerable by riders.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports indicate storm snow is becoming stubborn to rider triggering, with reactivity limited to wind-affected terrain. See the photo below for an example from Friday. And check out this MIN report from the Sky Pilot area.

The last reported avalanches that occurred on the crust buried up to 160 cm deep occurred on Thursday and Friday. Size 3 avalanches stepped down to this crust on north facing slopes. Human triggering is now thought to be unlikely but uncertainty exists.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow continues to settle, with wind affect at higher elevations in exposed terrain. A crust is buried around 50 to 100 cm deep, and reports suggest the bond is improving. Check out this great MIN report from the Apostles on Sunday.

Another crust sits 90-160 cm deep, combined with surface hoar preserved in sheltered treeline terrain. While this layer recently produced large avalanches, triggering likely requires large loads now (a cornice fall) or a smaller avalanche stepping down.

At lower elevations, surface snow is likely moist, or refrozen into a thick crust. For an update about local snow conditions check out this blog from Dec 26th.

Weather Summary

Monday NightMostly cloudy. 10 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing levels drop to 500 m. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Reactivity is expected on convex rolls, near ridgelines and cross loaded slopes.

Small avalanches could step down to buried crusts, most likely in sheltered treeline terrain where surface hoar is preserved or in thin alpine features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2