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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 15th, 2024–Dec 16th, 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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, North Okanagan, Rossland, Shuswap, South Okanagan, Valhalla, Ymir.

New snow may sit on surface hoar.

Monitor how it's bonding to the old by watching for shooting cracks and natural avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday several small storm slab avalanches were reportedly triggered by riders as well as some large (size 2) explosive-triggered slabs near Nelson.

In the Okanagan, there were also a few large natural wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow fell on Saturday accompanied by moderate to strong southwest wind forming larger deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain, this new snow could overlie weak surface hoar.

A layer of surface hoar and/or crust from freezing rain can be found down 20 to 40 cm. Where this crust is thin or not present a layer of surface hoar is more likely present.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, dense, and generally strong. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 60 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The new snow needs time to settle and bond to the underlying layers.

Storm slabs will be most reactive where they overlie surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2