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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2024–Dec 15th, 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.

Watch where the wind is dropping snow. This is where you'll find wind slabs.

The best riding will be in areas sheltered from the wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several small (size 1 to 1.5) storm slabs were triggered near Fernie on Saturday.

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.

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

Saturday Night

Cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

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