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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2023–Dec 26th, 2023

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

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

Forecast wind may form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs are more likely.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported on Sunday.

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

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of recent snow and strong northwest wind formed wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.

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

Monday Night

Cloudy skies, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, southwest alpine wind 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud, south alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy, southwest alpine wind 40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °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.

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.