Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 26th, 2024

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

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

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

The danger has risen due to 15-35cm of new snow and strong winds. Winds will die off on Monday, and the natural cycle should taper. Conditions will remain ripe for human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were limited field observations on Sunday due to visibility, but on Saturday, without the new snow, there were reports of climbers remotely triggering a size 1 on Super Bock. Further East, many reports of new snow avalanches on the Feb 3 crust and Little Yoho is likely similar, and we suspect a natural cycle is occurring up high.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong winds and 15-35cm of new snow have resulted in widespread slab formation, suspected at all aspects and elevations (limited observations on Sunday). In sheltered areas, 25-50+cm of snow now overlies the Feb. 3 crust and facets, which can be found on all aspects to 2500m and higher on solar aspects. This crust ranges from 1cm to 15cm in thickness. In shallower snowpack areas, weak facet layers can be found in the mid and lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday - Winds becoming light NW switching SW, and 5-7cm by the end of the day. Temperatures will start to cool

Tuesday - Trace amounts of snow and light SW winds. Temperatures -10C to -15C in the AM

Wednesday - A few cm of snow and warming temperatures as another system approaches.

For more information, see AvCan's Mt Wx

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Expect to find storm slabs in alpine and treeline terrain, and possibly below treeline. These slabs generally overlie faceted snow and/or a crust, and are primed for triggering.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

Activity should taper as winds die down, but climbers and skiers should expect sluffing in steep gullies and unsupported features in the short term.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5