Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada SH, Avalanche Canada

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The avalanche hazard has increased slightly with new wind slabs and sluffing in steep alpine terrain features. Some weaknesses persist in the mid and lower snowpack, and while reactivity of the lower layers has been limited, avalanches are still possible. Keep this in mind if entering steep committing terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There are numerous reports of new wind slabs over the Feb. 3 crust causing avalanches (size 1 to 1.5) at treeline and above. Also, there were a couple of deeper and larger releases, mainly on the mid-pack facets, but also a deeper one to ground in steep terrain on Fairview in the last 24 hours.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs have formed in lee areas of the alpine with increased west winds and some sluffing in steep terrain. 10-25 cm of recent storm snow sits over the Feb 3 crust that is present on all aspects except north above 2500 m. This crust ranges from 1-15 cm thick, with the thickest found in Yoho. Mid-pack weak layers from Jan and Dec are down roughly 30 and 50 cm respectively. Facets and depth hoar make up the basal layers of the snowpack in most locations.

Weather Summary

Monday: Cloudy with trace amounts of snow East of the divide and 2cm West of the divide, alpine winds 25-35kmh switching from West to NW and valley bottom freezing levels

Tuesday: Partly cloudy, no snow, light N/NW winds, and valley bottom freezing levels.

For more mountain weather, click HERE.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Watch your sluff: it may run faster and further than you expect.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent winds have moved the 10-25 cm of low-density storm snow around, forming wind slabs in alpine areas. This new snow sits on the Feb 3 crust, and any slab or sluff will likely travel far and fast in steep terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Persistent layers from mid-January and the end of December exist in the mid-pack down roughly 30 and 50 cm. Sporadic activity has occurred on these and, in isolated events, can scour down to the basal facets. This should be considered in more committing terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2024 4:00PM

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