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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2024–Dec 10th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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

North Columbia, South Columbia, Glacier, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Storm slabs could be triggered by riders, particularly where they rest on a weak or hard layer.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Many large (size 2) storm and wind slab avalanches were reported on Sunday, generally 20 to 60 cm deep in alpine terrain between 1900 m and 2300 m on north to east aspects. They were triggered naturally, by riders, and by explosives. All of these avalanches occurred within the weekend's storm snow, and many of them occurred where the snow rested on weak surface hoar crystals.

It remains possible that riders could trigger similar avalanches going forward.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 to 50 cm of snow accumulated over the weekend. In exposed alpine terrain, westerly wind may have formed deeper deposits in lee terrain features. The snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects at low elevations. The snow may rest on weak surface hoar crystals in openings below treeline, at treeline elevations, and at lower alpine elevations.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong. A hard crust is found near the base of the snowpack but is not a concern at this time.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

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

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.