Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jpercival, Avalanche Canada

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Tracks on a slope do not mean it is safe.

Deep persistent slabs are a low-probability, high-consequence avalanche problem that are best managed by choosing to ride conservative terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday near Panorama mostly small (size 1) dry loose avalanches have been observed in very steep terrain, In the alpine ski cutting produced small (size 1) windslabs on steep unsupported terrain features.

On Tuesday a few dry loose avalanches were reported out of steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has buried various layers of soft snow, wind-affected, and sun crusts. Further burying a crust now down 15 to 20 cm. This crust is generally supportive but tapers in the alpine and may be unsupportive to riders.

The midpack is generally faceted and the lower snowpack contains weak faceted grains, depth hoar, and crusts that continue to produce sporadic large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12°C.

Saturday

Clear skies and sunny. 0 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Clear skies, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer near the base of the snowpack is a concern where a crust buried 10 to 20 cm is not supportive. Generally at higher elevations in the alpine and steep, rocky, open features at treeline is where triggering this layer is possible.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2.5 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Likely to find newly formed wind slabs in the alpine, just below ridgetop features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2024 4:00PM

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