Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Beware of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Wednesday suggest small (size 1) wind slabs were reactive on a variety of aspects in the alpine and upper treeline elevations. The slabs were 10 to 20 cm thick, with some failing on a buried surface hoar layer.

Snowpack Summary

Wind and sun have created variable surface conditions, with northeast wind heavily impacting open terrain.

15 to 30 cm of snow sits above a widespread crust. Many areas have reported a weak surface hoar layer above this crust, which could be problematic in areas where wind has formed a slab above the layer.

Snowpack depths decrease rapidly below treeline.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 2 to 4 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Shifting wind has formed small but reactive wind slabs in the alpine.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

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