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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2024–Feb 22nd, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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

Regions: Glacier.

Avalanche hazard has risen with new snow and warm temperatures.

Rider triggering of new snow is possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, a field team triggered loose, moist avalanches below treeline in steep, unsupported terrain.

Isolated natural activity has been observed along highway corridor Monday/Tuesday this week. Avalanches have been dry, loose sluffs from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps are settling 10-20 cm of new snow into a slab. This slab overlies a spring like surface. This includes: soft snow in protected terrain on polar aspects, breakable crust on steep solar aspects, and variable wind slab in exposed terrain at ridge top.

A strong crust (widespread below 2500m) is down 40-60cm.

The mid to lower snowpack continues to round - except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.

Weather Summary

A brief ridge of high pressure is in place for Thurs, followed by an approaching frontal system from the NW on Fri.

Tonight: Cloudy/flurries, Alp low -6°C, ridgetop winds W light, FZ Lvl: 1300m

Thurs: Cloudy/isolated flurries, Alp high -6°C, light W wind, FZ Lvl: 1600m

Fri: Flurries, 5cm, Alp high -7°C, light/gusting mod SW wind, FZ Lvl: 1300m

Sat: Flurries, 10cm, Alp high -6°C, light/gusting to mod W wind

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

A fresh storm slab sits on a variety of good sliding surfaces. This problem will be more likely triggered on wind loaded lee slopes from S/SW winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

It is possible for riders to trigger loose moist avalanches in steep and unsupported terrain. This layer is most reactive where a firm crust exists down 10-30 cm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2