Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 25th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Give yourself a wide margin for error. New snow, wind and buried weak layers make a complex snowpack.
Small terrain and lower angle slopes will be safer riding.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche activity continues in this region with numerous natural and human triggered avalanches within the storm snow, at both treeline and in the alpine. In places these have been large (up to size 2.5).
Avalanches on the early December layer continue on north, east and west facing slopes around 2200 m. This includes large remotely triggered slabs, and human triggered cornice-falls triggering slabs on the slope below.
See the photos below for examples.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow continues to accumulate and is between 20 to 40 cm in depth. This new snow sits on a melt freeze crust on previously sun affected slopes.
Cornices are large and fragile from recent winds and mild temperatures.
A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and in some places surface hoar is buried 60 to 110 cm deep. The distribution is variable throughout this region but it is most prevalent between 1700 to 2300 m. Large avalanches occurred on this layer on Saturday and Sunday, in north through southwest facing slopes above treeline.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Partly cloudy with flurries. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -2 °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.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for developing wind slabs near ridgelines.Slabs may step down to buried weak layers.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanches have included remote triggers and cornice fall.Avoid large open slopes at treeline, where surface hoar is more likely to be preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 26th, 2024 4:00PM
