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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2024–Dec 9th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

West Purcell, Goat, Retallack, Whatshan.

Choose small, low consequence slopes.

Storm slabs will likely remain reactive to rider traffic due to the surface hoar beneath.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported. These avalanches occurred on all aspects at treeline and below. We suspect the failure plane for these avalanches was the surface hoar mentioned in the snowpack summary.

Snowpack Summary

Over the past few days the wind has come from the southwest and then shifted to the northwest, wind effect could be found on all aspects.

Up to 30 cm of storm snow from Friday and Saturday overlies a variety of surfaces including a sun crust on steep south aspects and Surface hoar in sheltered terrain.

The mid snowpack is generally well settled, with an early November crust buried around 100 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Mix of cloud and clear skies with 0 to 2 cm of snow possible. 15 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with no snow expected. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9°C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny with no snow expected. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8°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.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches 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.