Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada lcrawley, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid areas where a small avalanche could drag you into cliffs, trees, rocks, etc and increase the consequence.

As new snow arrives, dial back your terrain choices to lower-angle slopes.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported by the time of publishing on Tuesday.

On Monday there were several small rider-controlled dry loose avalanches reported.

On Sunday, southwest of Mcbride a small (size 1.5) wind slab was remotely triggered from 5 metres away with no involvement.

Snowpack Summary

In treeline terrain that is sheltered from the wind, 15 to 25 cm of settled snow sits above the crust.

South through west aspects are likely stripped down to a thick crust that formed early in February. In general, the crust is strong and supportive to travel below 1900 m. Above 1900 m the crust becomes breakable and tapers out around 2400 m.

On north through east aspects you will likely find old wind slabs on sugary facets over this crust.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 0 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

This problem lingers where a hard slab overlies a layer of weak, sugary faceted crystals on top of a thick crust buried 25 to 50 cm down.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Expect dry loose avalanches to occur out of steep terrain with incoming weather.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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