Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout Wednesday with the incoming storm.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rapid loading from new snow and wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but observations have been limited in this region. We expect widespread natural and human-triggered avalanches will be likely with the arrival of Wednesday's storm.

If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Over a meter of snow has fallen in high elevation alpine areas through a series of storms since last Saturday. Most of this precipitation fell as rain at treeline and below. By the end of Wednesday, another 30 to 40 cm of snow is expected, with heavy rain below 1000 m.

In the alpine, strong winds are expected to form deeper storm slabs on lee northeast through northwest-facing slopes.

Expect a rain-saturated snowpack or lack of snow at lower elevations

Click the photo below for more details.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 7 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

WednesdayCloudy with 30 to 40 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 20 to 35 cm of snow or light to moderate rain. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1250 m.

FridayCloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Reactive new storm slabs are expected to build throughout the storm on Wednesday. Older storm slabs from previous days may also remain triggerable. Avoid steep lee slopes, especially near ridgelines.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2024 4:00PM

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