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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 24th, 2023–Dec 25th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bonnington, Crawford, Grohman, Kokanee, Kootenay Boundary, Kootenay Pass, Moyie, Norns, Retallack, Rossland, South Okanagan, St. Mary, Valhalla, Ymir.

Recent snow and strong northwest wind formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous explosive triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Saturday.

Data in this region is limited. Please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow on Saturday and strong northwest wind formed fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

The recent snow is sitting on a hard crust. Below this crust, a weak layer of surface hoar is present in some areas.

A second crust layer is down 40-60 cm.

Average snowpack depths at treeline are 70-130 cm. Snow depth tapers rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Christmas Eve

Partly cloudy skies, south alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.

Christmas Day

Mostly cloudy skies, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °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.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

10-15 cm of new snow on Saturday and strong northwest wind formed fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2