Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Cornices and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Be cautious as you move to higher elevations. Wind slabs may remain reactive around ridgelines, and uncertainty exists over buried weak layers.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Multiple avalanches on the early December interface have occurred over the past four days, on west facing slopes around 2200 m. Cornice falls triggered size 3 slabs, while remotely triggered size 2 slabs were reported on a wind-affected slope at treeline. Uncertainty exists over ongoing reactivity of this layer.
Natural avalanche activity occurred over the weekend within the storm snow with the largest slabs noted from steep, wind affected terrain in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
50 cm of wind affected snow has fallen this week, with areas in the Monashees receiving up to 70 cm. Cornices are large and fragile, with numerous cornice falls triggered by riders within the last 4 days.
A surface crust may exist from this weekend's mild temperatures. This has been observed up to 2200m near Revelstoke.
A surface hoar layer from early December is buried 50 to 90 cm and is most prevalent between 1700 to 2300 m. It may be combined with a crust and or weak facets. Large avalanches occurred on this layer on Saturday and Sunday, in northwest through southwest facing slopes above treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs near ridgelines and mid slope rollovers. Slabs may step down to the early December crust/surface hoar, creating larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices have been very reactive recently, and have the potential to trigger large and destructive avalanches on the early December interface. Minimize your exposure to them where possible, they may pull farther back than you expect.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Layers of surface hoar, crust and facets exist up to 90 cm deep. Recent avalanche activity has shown a high degree of uncertainty on this layer. This layer is most likely triggered by large loads or where the snowpack is shallow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
