Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Potentially dangerous weak layers still exist deeper in the snowpack.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Skier traffic produced several small loose dry and soft storm slabs on steep convex slopes throughout the region Saturday.
Avalanche activity was reported over the weekend in Stagleap Provincial Park where natural storm slabs (size 1 to 2) were observed from steep terrain.
On Friday, a large persistent slab (size 3) was observed at 2000 m in the Bonnington Range. The trigger is unknown, but the propagation was wide.
Snowpack Summary
Continued snowfalls add to the 30 to 50 cm of recent snow. Moderate southwest wind has redistributed this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations.
Below this new snow, a thin crust is present near the surface below approximately 1600 m.
Weak layers of surface hoar or facets and a crust may persist in the mid-snowpack. Professionals are still concerned about the potential instability of this layer.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h souhtwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h souhtwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Buried weak layers of surface hoar and facets on a crust are now buried 70 to 120 cm deep. Increased load from new snow may make these layers more reactive. Be especially cautious on steep, open slopes at treeline and below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Recent snowfall and southwest winds have formed fresh storm slabs that will be deepest and most reactive in wind-loaded areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 30th, 2024 4:00PM
