Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada shorton, Avalanche Canada

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Keep your guard up in steep open terrain! Recent snow has been slow to bond to underlying weak layers.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Several human triggered storm slab avalanches were reported on the weekend, but since then reports have been limited to mostly small loose avalanches in steep terrain. On Tuesday widespread whumpfing was reported in the Coquihalla area, a sign that new snow may be sitting above reactive surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 30 to 40 cm of recent snow continues to settle and strengthen atop a widespread, thick crust. In some areas, surface hoar crystals may exist atop the crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are well-settled and strong.

At lower elevations, conditions remain rugged with a shallow snowpack and largely wet snow surfaces.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snow has been slow to bond to underlying weak layers. Triggering slab avalanches is possible at upper elevations, especially in areas with recent wind-loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2024 4:00PM