Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2022–Feb 18th, 2022

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

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: South Rockies.

Snow is on the way for the weekend! Until then, practice good travel habits and use caution around terrains traps.

Confidence

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy skies with isolated flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, strong wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -6 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing a trace amounts snow, moderate wind from the west, treeline temperatures around -5 C with freezing level around 1500 m.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries starting in the morning bringing 5-10 cm of snow by the evening, strong wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SUNDAY: Stormy weather continues with another 5-15 cm of snow, moderate wind, treeline temperatures drop from -10 to -15 C throughout the day.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity over the past few days has been limited to small (size 1) slab and loose avalanches in steep alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of fresh snow sits above hard wind-affect snow and melt-freeze crusts. Some small surface hoar may be found above the crust in sheltered terrain. The snowpack below is well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant, but could become active later this season as discussed in this forecaster blog.

Terrain and Travel

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.