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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2024–Dec 15th, 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, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack, Whatshan.

Watch for reactive deposits in areas impacted by wind. Be mindful that gusty and stronger winds can build touchy slabs lower in features than usual.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, explosives control work and skier traffic triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2, averaging 20 to 40 cm deep. Field reports commented on gusty and variable winds producing small, reactive slabs lower in features than usual.

Snowpack Summary

Weekend flurries have accumulated up to 30 cm of fresh snow around the region. Southerly winds have formed deeper deposits on northerly aspects and wind slabs in lee features. In sheltered areas, the fresh snow may overlie surface hoar crystals.

A layer of surface hoar is now buried 30 to 60 cm and is most prevalent around treeline elevations and north aspects. We're tracking this layer as the load (and resulting slab) builds above it. We may see reactivity increase when the load above reaches a critical threshold. At lower elevations or on steep south-facing slopes a crust is at this interface instead of surface hoar.

The lower snowpack is well-settled without any deeper concerns.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Flurries, with 5 to 15 cm overnight. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1400 m.

Sunday

Flurries, up to 10 cm. Forecasts suggest the highest precipitation will fall in the Monashees north and west of Revelstoke. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. Increasing west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -9 °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.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.

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.