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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2024–Feb 24th, 2024

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

Regions

Glacier.

The incoming storm is expected to bring along strong to extreme winds from the west/southwest.

Cautious route-finding & conservative terrain choices will be key to manage the storm slab.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Friday.

Natural slab avalanches as big as size 2.5 were observed Thursday from the steep north facing terrain of Mt. Macdonald & Mt. Green.

On Wednesday, a field team triggered loose, moist avalanches below tree-line in steep, unsupported terrain.

Isolated natural activity was observed along the highway corridor Monday/Tuesday this week. Avalanches were dry, loose sluffs from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A thin surface crust exists below tree-line & warm temps are settling 20 cm of new snow into a slab, which overlies a spring like surface. This includes soft snow in protected terrain on polar aspects, breakable crust on steep solar aspects, and wind slab in exposed terrain at ridge top.

A strong crust (widespread below 2500m) is down 50cm.

The mid to lower snowpack continues to round - except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.

Weather Summary

A cold front approaches bringing snow and strong to extreme winds. As the storm passes, temps will drop.

Tonight: 7cm, Alp low -6°C, Strong to Extreme West wind, FZ Lvl: 1100m

Sat: 10cm, Alp high -5°C, Strong to Extreme West wind, FZ Lvl: 1400m

Sun: 23cm, Alp high -4°C,, Strong SW wind gusting to 115km/hr, FZ Lvl: 1300m

Mon: Trace precip, Alp Low -18°C, Moderate SW wind gusting to Strong, FZ Lvl: Valley Bottom

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Problems

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.