Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2024–Feb 22nd, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Gold.

Don’t let the new snow lure you into big terrain.

In addition to the weak layers new snow has fallen on, we are still concerned about the layers from earlier this month.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days rider triggered avalanches have been up to size 2.5 but most were smaller, size 1.5. these avalanches were generally releasing on layers of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust from earlier this month.

We expect avalanches on these layers, as well as the more recently buried weak layers described in the snowpack summary, to continue to occur.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30 cm of new snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain, a crust on south and west facing slopes as well as old wind slab on exposed terrain.

Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 to 50 cm in sheltered areas.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 40 to 65 cm and has sugary facets on top. In most places, this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.

The base of the snowpack is still loose and faceted in shallow rocky alpine areas.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

A mix of cloud and clear skies with up to 2 cm of new snow. 5 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of new snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.