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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Rockies, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Tumbler.

Human-triggered wind slabs remain possible anywhere the wind has affect the snow surface. Any incident is of high consequence in frigid weather.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There was further evidence of deep persistent slab activity from the past week. Riders should continue to avoid steep, thin, rocky slopes, particularly near alpine ridgelines.

Looking forward, we anticipate that wind slabs will remain possible to be human triggered.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeast wind formed touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features in wind-exposed terrain. The wind will switch to southwest on Friday, possible forming new slabs. This means wind slabs may be found on all aspects. The frigid weather will slow the healing process, meaning these slabs could remain touchy for the coming days.

The middle of the snowpack is generally strong.

A weak layer of large and weak facets is found near the base of the snowpack. The layer is currently dormant, except in very steep alpine terrain that is inherently shallow. Riders should continue to avoid thin, rocky terrain where the likelihood of triggering this layer is increased.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies with no precipitation, 20 km/h east wind, treeline temperature -26 °C.

Friday

Increasing clouds with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 40 km/h west wind, treeline temperature - 21 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 to 50 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -14 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.