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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.

Sustained strong, easterly winds have created wind slabs in exposed terrain on all aspects and elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday a number of storm slab and wind slab avalanches were triggered with explosives and ski cutting, up to size 2 on various aspects and elevations.

A natural avalanche cycle occurred during stormy weather on Tuesday, with numerous storm slab releases up to size 2.5.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow continues to be redistributed by strong north to east winds at all elevations and has formed wind slabs throughout wind-exposed terrain.

The mid-snowpack is generally well settled, with no current layers of concern.

The bottom of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary, basal facets and a crust.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly clear / Moderate northeast ridgetop winds, shifting from the southwest by Friday morning / Treeline temperatures -25 to -30 C.

Friday

Mostly sunny / Light southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -25 C, warming to -15 C by the end of the day.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud / Moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -10 to -25 C.

Sunday

Cloudy, with snow beginning late in the day / Moderate southwest ridgetop winds / Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent strong north to east winds have redistributed the new snow into windslabs in exposed terrain at all elevations and aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

A layer of large, weak basal facets exists and remains a primary concern in shallow snowpack areas, with variable snow depths.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5