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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 26th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at higher elevations where new snow struggles to bond to surfaces below

Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, the stormy conditions and poor visibility kept many users and operators out of the backcountry. No new avalanches have been reported however we expect users who head into the backcountry on Monday will see evidence of a natural storm slab avalanche cycle to size 2 that occurred during the storm.

Snowpack Summary

By Monday morning 25 to 40 cm of storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces. Most concerning is the large surface hoar found in sheltered terrain, and a crust on south-facing slopes. In exposed terrain at higher elevations, new snow covers old wind-affected surfaces.

A widespread crust is found down 60 to 100 cm, with weak, faceted snow immediately above it. Uncertainty exists over whether this layer will become active with the heavy load of new snow.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing levels drop to 500 m.

Monday

Partly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level hovers around 500 m.

Tuesday

Increasing clouds with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 25 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with snow switching to rain, accumulation 10 to 20 cm above the rain-snow line. Freezing level rises to 1500 m. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °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.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

25 to 40 cm of snow and moderate southwest winds have built reactive storm slabs at all elevations. Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A problematic combination of weak faceted snow and/or surface hoar over a crust remains a concern in isolated treeline terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5