Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada CG, Avalanche Canada

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Recent moderate to strong NE winds have transported snow onto slopes that aren't typically loaded.

Even though the hazard is low, you could still find small avalanches in isolated spots.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few point-release dry sluffs were noted from steep terrain on Tupper and Macdonald today. Otherwise no new activity in the highway corridor.

There were two reported skier triggered avalanches recently. One on Terminal Pk and the other in the Connaught drainage. They were both slabs within the recent storm snow that ran approximately 150 meters.

Snowpack Summary

Strong NE winds Thursday redistributed the 20-40cms of low density snow we'd been enjoying.

A buried crust (widespread below 2500m), sits under windslabs in lees, and has been stripped of snow on ridges.

Warm temps have strengthened the mid and lower snowpack. Isolated exceptions exist in the high alpine, where pockets of shallow, weak/faceted snow can be found.

Travel remains rugged below Tree-line: firm crusts, frozen avalanche debris, and shallow snowpack hazards.

Weather Summary

Minor disturbances this week will bring clouds, light snow, and slightly elevated freezing levels (FZL).

Tonight: Mostly clear, Alp low -7°C, light ridgetop winds.

Monday: Mainly cloudy, Alp high -3°C, light ridge wind, FZL 1400m.

Tues: Flurries, 5-10cm, Alp high -4°C, light SW wind, FZL 1600m.

Wed: Cloudy with isolated flurries, Alp high -5°C, light W winds, FZL 1600m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent strong NE winds have created hard wind slab in open terrain in the Alpine. These slabs may be reactive where they sit on a crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2024 4:00PM

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