Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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

Watch for isolated pockets of stiff wind slab as you transition into exposed terrain.

A surface crust will make for challenging travel conditions, but generally safe avalanche conditions.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There are no new avalanches to report in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

New snow at upper elevations from early in the week has accumulated over a variety of old surfaces including wind slabs in the alpine and a breakable freezing rain crust between 1100 m and 1600 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled, strong, and consolidated.

Snowpack depths are reaching 250 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -12 °C. Ridge wind northeast 25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -9 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall in the afternoon, 5-10 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -6 °C. Ridge wind south 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level 100 meters.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, heavy at times, 15-25 cm of accumulation. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind southwest 30-45 km/h. Freezing level 600 meters.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall at upper elevations combined with shifting winds may have deposited wind slabs on a variety of aspects. Wind slabs are expected to become less reactive with recent cold temperatures.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 2