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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 15th, 2024–Feb 16th, 2024
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
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
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

Regions: Glacier.

Watch for windloading in unusual places. Moderate to strong NE winds have had no problem pushing the low density surface snow into slopes that aren't typically loaded.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There were a couple large natural avalanches from the steep terrain on Mt. MacDonald overnight.

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 (possibly less prevalent in the Southeast of the park) redistributed the 20-40cms of low density snow we'd been enjoying. A buried crust (from Feb 2nd - widespread below 2500m), sits under windslabs in lee terrain, and has been stripped of snow in exposed windward slopes.

Below treeline, up to 10cm of low density snow covers a variety of crusts, frozen avalanche debris, and shallow snowpack hazards.

Warm temps have strengthened the mid and lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Ongoing high pressure. Expect a cold start to the day, and clear skies.

Tonight: Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine low -12°C. Light E ridgetop winds.

Friday: Sunny w cloudy periods. Alpine high -6°C. Light SE winds. Freezing level (FZL) 1300m

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low -4°C, High -2°C. Light SE wind. FZL 1700m.

Sunday: Isolated flurries. Low -8°C, High -3°C. Light ridge wind. FZL 1400m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong NE winds have created wind effect in all open terrain. These may be particularly reactive where they sit on a crust. Warming temps and intense sun may also make the upper snowpack more reactive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Warming temps and sunshine may trigger loose snow avalanches in steep solar terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5