Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
isnowsell,
Avalanche Canada
A buried crust associated with faceted snow remains a concern. Carefully assess steep lines for signs of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Several skier-triggered avalanches (size 1 to 2) have been reported since Wednesday. These avalanches have failed on a crust/facet combination down roughly 30 to 40 cm from the surface, in steep treeline and alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of recent heavy, dense snow has buried various old surfaces, including sun crusts on south-facing slopes and hard previously wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Snow surfaces remain generally moist below treeline.
A widespread crust formed in early February exists down roughly 30 to 50 cm. In many areas, small, weak faceted grains have formed just above or below this crust.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 0 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Recent snow has buried a widespread crust in the upper snowpack, with weak facets forming above or below. This is a particular concern on steep slopes with a cohesive slab on the surface that could fail on this layer or step down to the crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2024 4:00PM
