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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2024–Dec 11th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, South Okanagan, Ymir, Shuswap, Crawford, Kokanee, North Okanagan, Retallack, Valhalla.

Watch for changing conditions as you gain elevation

Fresh and reactive wind slabs may form in terrain exposed to stronger winds

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has tapered since the storm. Wind-affected snow has been noted around ridgelines, stubborn to rider triggers. And loose dry sluffing has been common from steep but sheltered terrain.

Looking forward, greatest concern is for any fresh wind slab development.

Snowpack Summary

15-35 cm of wind effected settling snow can be found at higher elevations.

At treeline and below treeline, this recent storm snow sits on a rain crust. The crust extends to mountain top in the Monashees, but alpine observations in the Selkirks are limited. Reports suggest this interface is bonding reasonably well and only producing sluff in steep terrain where the snow above isn't wind affected.

Surface hoar may also exist at this depth in areas that saw minimal rainfall during the storm, particularly in the far northern part of the region.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, dense, and generally strong. Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Increasing cloud with flurries beginning late afternoon. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °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.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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.