Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 26th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Glacier.

Conservative terrain choices are essential until the snowpack has had time to adjust and the new snow has settled and bonded.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle up to size 3.5 occurred over the weekend with avalanches running full path far into run outs. At the time of writing avalanche control planned for Sunday afternoon is expected to produce numerous large avalanches along the hwy corridor.

Regionally several human triggered avalanches have been reported failing on the Feb 3rd crust. This widespread layer promotes wide propagation and gives an excellent sliding surface for avalanches to run on.

Snowpack Summary

50cm of new snow has fallen and been redistributed by strong southerly winds. Below this, the upper snowpack consists of well settled snow, thin sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and the faceted drought layer over the Feb 3rd crust (which is widespread below 2500m).

The mid to lower snowpack is well settled, except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.

Weather Summary

A break between storms will give calmer conditions. Precip and winds will ease off and temps will drop with close to valley bottom freezing levels (FZL) before the next major weather maker arrives on Wednesday.

Tonight: Flurries up to 7cm, strong W winds, low -14°C, FZL at valley bottom

Mon: Flurries, trace new snow, light W winds, low -17°C, FZL 500m

Tues: Sun & cloud, moderate SW winds, low -20°C, FZL at valley bottom

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

50cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab, this was accompanied by strong winds so expect deeper and more reactive slabs on wind loaded terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches initiating within the storm snow may step down to the Feb 3rd melt freeze crust, if they do the crust will promote wider propagation and produce much larger and more destructive avalanches running fast and far on the crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3