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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2024–Dec 31st, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Look for soft snow in sheltered terrain. Watch for reactive pockets around ridgelines and steep rolls as you move into more exposed and alpine-like terrain.

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

Monday night

Mostly cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west 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

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.