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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2024–Dec 3rd, 2024

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

Regions

North Rockies, McBride, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Minimize exposure to avalanche terrain; natural avalanches may occur

Conditions will change rapidly with aspect and elevation.

Warm temps, wind & snow or rain will stress the snowpack

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Small natural and rider triggered avalanches were noted in the MIN on Sunday, we expect natural activity has occurred with rapid wind loading and warm temperatures - these slabs will likely remain sensitive to human triggers.

Early season observations are limited. If you head into the backcountry, please post to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions likely vary from heavily wind affected snow at higher elevations, to settling storm snow in sheltered areas. Storm totals from the week reached 60-150 cm across the region. Warm temperatures have likely begun to affect the surface snow, potentially creating an overnight crust or moist snow during the day.

A crust from early November may be found in the mid to lower snowpack, with surface hoar and/or facets. The distribution and reactivity of this layer are not well understood. It is uncertain whether avalanches are failing on this layer.

Below the snowpack consists of melt freeze crusts, facets, and depth hoar in some areas. At treeline, snowpack depth ranges from 100 to 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of snow at higher elevations. 70+ km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C with an above freezing layer.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations, and wet snow or rain and low elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow at upper elevations, and wet snow or rain and low elevations. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures may reach +2 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures remain around 0 °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.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.

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.