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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 25th, 2020–Feb 26th, 2020
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.

The Avalanche Winter Restricted Area is CLOSED TODAY. Please respect the Winter Permit System, it requires 100% compliance to keep as much terrain open as possible.

Weather Forecast

Today: Sunny with cloudy periods, freezing level rising to 1200m, and light winds. A pacific front will reach the Rogers Pass later this afternoon, and we might receive 5cm by tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow: Flurries continue throughout the day, with only another 5cm of snow, mod southerly wind, and steady freezing levels near 1100m

Snowpack Summary

30+cm of storm snow has now buried the February 22 weak layer. This layer consists of surface hoar (observed up to 2300m) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. Where the new snow has become cohesive, it is reactive to human triggering as a 20-40cm soft slab.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported from the backcountry yesterday. Only 6 avalanches were observed in the Highway Corridor, 3 size 2s, and 3 size 1.5s. These natural avalanches were from steep unsupported terrain features. On Saturday we had a decent natural cycle to size 3, which were failing on the Feb 22nd surface hoar/ sun crust.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Slab properties in the storm snow have been slow to develop. Where slabs do exist, they overlie the Feb 22nd surface hoar. On steep solar aspects the surface hoar sits on a crust, and settled snow everywhere else.

  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

"Sluffing "is likely in steep unsupported terrain on all aspects. If the sun stays out today, we should see several small loose dry avalanches on steep, rocky terrain features, on solar aspects.

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2