Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 23rd, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mmueller, Avalanche Canada

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Lots of variation in snow quality lately. Some areas are hanging in there with good snow, while others are tougher to ski. Low elevation, sheltered areas seem to be the best bet for decent skiing.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

The southwest flow will continue tomorrow. There will be variable winds early in the day, but eventually the light winds will settle to a westerly flow. The temps will be consistent at -12 to -8. We are expecting some light snow, some areas may get up to 8cm's overnight. The flurries will likely be convective in nature, so expect local amounts to vary. It should be a cloudy day...very similar to today.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new today.

Snowpack Summary

Convective flurries have given us bit of snow lately. Not enough to reset the skiing, but enough to take the edge off the surface crust down low. Speaking of crusts, the rain crust is very apparent up to 1950m and slightly higher on solar aspects where we have a sun crust. So far these crusts haven't been a problem. The other issue is the widespread wind slabs. Any open areas seems to have a healthy windslab that was sometimes breaking as we skied. In general the mid pack is well settled, but we did experience a more "traditional" Rockies snowpack today around Mt. Murray. This area was thin and very weak. We often sank to ground while walking up. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Watch for new wind slabs with the incoming precipitation and moderate SW winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal weaknesses still linger. While difficult to trigger, any resulting avalanche will be large.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 24th, 2020 4:00PM