Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Terrain that is sheltered from the wind will hold soft, loose snow with no slab properties. That's where you'll find the best riding and the lowest avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, east of Pine Pass, natural and human triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported in wind exposed treeline and alpine terrain. See photo below for more info and a link to the MIN report.

If you are out in the backcountry consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered terrain, expect to find 20 to 40 cm of settling snow. Southwesterly wind has exposed the ground on windward slopes and formed wind slabs on lee slopes and in cross-loaded terrain.

In sheltered areas, a crust from early December is buried up to 80 cm. Snowpack tests and a lack of recent avalanches suggest that this layer is trending unreactive, however, observations are limited in this region. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.

Data is very limited in this region, please submit MIN reports if you head into the mountains. Any information or photos are helpful!

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy. Light variable wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 5 to 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 15 to 25 km/h eastt ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Avalanches are most likely where the wind has formed the recent snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes in cross-loaded terrain. Watch for fresh slabs as the wind shifts from the northwest.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2024 4:00PM

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