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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2024–Dec 16th, 2024

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

Lizard-Flathead, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie, St. Mary.

If you're seeing cracking in the new snow it may indicate that it's sitting on surface hoar.

Investigate before committing to your line.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, several small storm slabs and dry loose avalanches were triggered near Fernie. There were also reports of shooting cracks in open areas in the trees from the Lizard Range.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow fell accompanied by strong southwest wind forming larger deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain, this new snow could overlie surface hoar, making it triggerable for longer.

Another layer of surface hoar and/or crust can be found down 20 to 40 cm. Where this crust is thin or not present a layer of surface hoar may be found.

Check out this MIN from the Purcell side of this region and this one from the Fernie area.

The middle of the snowpack is generally expected to be well-settled and stable. Total snow depths vary from 100 to 150 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud in the morning increasing to mostly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow in the afternoon. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 30 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • 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.