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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 24th, 2023–Dec 25th, 2023

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

Recent snow and strong northwest wind formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous explosive triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Saturday.

Data in this region is limited. Please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow on Saturday and strong northwest wind formed fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a hard crust. Below this crust, a weak layer of surface hoar is present in some areas.

A second crust layer is down 40-60 cm.

Average snowpack depths at treeline are 70-130 cm. Snow depth tapers rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Christmas Eve

Partly cloudy skies, south alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Christmas Day

Mostly cloudy skies, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.