Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 18th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Another wet and windy system is expected to bring rain to the highest elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with wet slabs reported on north aspects and loose wet avalanches on south aspects. With this good punch to the snowpack, Thursday's weather is not expected to produce such widespread avalanches, but a wet avalanche problem is still possible.

Snowpack Summary

Rain has saturated the snowpack to mountain top. More rain and warm temperatures are forecast through Thursday. Expect to find slushy and wet surfaces and an increasingly saturated snowpack.

Total snow depths at treeline vary from 240 cm near Mt. Washington, to 140 cm near Mt Cain.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Increasingly cloudy. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Thursday

Wet flurries and rain, 20 to 50 mm. 50 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rising above 2000 m.

Friday

Cloudy with rain showers, 10 to 20 mm. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with freezing rain. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Expect a wet and windy day. Rain, wet flurries, and high freezing levels can quickly produce a wet avalanche problem.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 19th, 2024 4:00PM

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