Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 29th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mhalik,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive wind slabs may exist on all aspects
Small avalanches may step down to weak layers, producing larger avalanches than you may expect.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported.On Tuesday a large (size 2) avalanche was reported at Hankin, full details in this MIN.
On Monday several large (size 2) naturally triggered avalanches were reported in the Babines in wind-affected terrain in the alpine.
We expect natural activity to taper off, but human triggering remains possible.
Snowpack Summary
In alpine and open treeline areas, 15 to 30 cm of potentially wind-affected snow sits over a variety of surfaces including facets, surface hoar, old hard wind slabs, or a crust. The buried surface hoar is most likely to be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust may be found buried 30 to 60 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy, with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low -16 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high -10 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high -14 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The most reactive slabs will likely form on north/west facing slopes. Old slabs on other aspects may remain triggerable as they sit over weak layers
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak sugary facets over a hard crust or a layer of buried surface hoar may be susceptible to human triggers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 1st, 2024 4:00PM
