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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2024–Dec 28th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Flathead, Lizard.

7:20 AM Update: Heavy snowfall continues, meaning storm slabs are likely reactive to riders. Conservative terrain travel is recommended.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosive control near Fernie produced several size 1-2 storm slabs from northeast alpine terrain.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Continued snowfall adds 25 cm more snow overnight in some areas. Accompanying southwest wind will redistribute this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations.

Below the new snow, a thick melt-freeze crust exists below approximately 1500 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and stable.

Snow depths at treeline range from 120 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow - local enhancements up to 25 cm. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 7 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.