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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2024–Dec 10th, 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, human triggered possible.
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.

Storm snow may take time to bond with the rain crust or surface hoar below.

Be cautious on steep slopes -fresh wind slabs may form at higher elevations

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity was observed throughout the storm to size 2. Explosive control on Sunday also produced size 2 avalanches.

MIN users noted cracking in the storm snow on Sunday, indicating reactivity still remains.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 cm of wind affected storm snow sits over a mix of crusts, surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, and hard wind-affected surfaces. Low elevations received mostly rain while higher elevations received wet snow or mixed precipitation.

Check out this MIN report for a great overview of conditions in Orca Bowl, and this MIN report covers conditions in the Tunnel Mountain 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

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

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.