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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2024–Dec 14th, 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 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 Columbia, South Columbia, Glacier, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack, Whatshan.

Choose small, low consequence slopes.

This next pulse of precipitation may be enough to tip the scales and result in the early December surface hoar becoming easily rider triggered.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past 2 days avalanche activity has been primarily explosive controlled. These avalanches have been up to size 2.5 and generally on north and east aspects.

We expect avalanche activity to increase throughout the day on Sunday with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Snowpack Summary

By the end of the day on December 14th up to 25 cm of new snow may have fallen. This will be accompanied by moderate to strong southerly wind forming larger deposits on northerly aspects. In sheltered terrain this new snow could overlie surface hoar.

Another layer of surface hoar can be found down 30 to 60 cm. At lower elevations or on steep south facing slopes a crust may be present at this interface instead of surface hoar.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong without any deeper concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected . 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 15 cm of snow expected. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Sunday

Cloudy in the morning and clearing in the afternoon. Up to 5 cm of snow expected by early morning. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.

Monday

Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.

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.