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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 23rd, 2024–Dec 24th, 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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Regions: Bonnington, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Valhalla, Whatshan, Ymir.

Heightened avalanche conditions persist due to uncertainty over buried weak layers' distribution and reactivity, despite a generally stable snowpack otherwise.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few skier and explosive-triggered surface slab avalanches were reported over the weekend. These avalanches were generally no deeper than 15 cm and up to size 1.5.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow over the weekend continues to settle and bond to undelaying surfaces. Southwest winds have redistributed new snow into deeper deposits at higher elevations. At lower elevations, surface conditions range from crusty to moist, depending on the time of day and local temperatures.

Down 50 to 100 cm there are potential weak layers of facets, crusts, and in some places surface hoar. The distribution of these layers is highly variable throughout the region.

Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with up to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall has been redistributed into fresh wind slabs at higher elevations.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Buried surface hoar, and in some areas facets over a crust remain a concern. Particularly in steep open slopes at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5