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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 19th, 2024–Feb 20th, 2024
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
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
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
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
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Use caution around wind loaded pockets near ridgecrest. Old wind slabs formed over faceted snow or more isolated surface hoar could still be sensitive to human triggers.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but a large (size 2) natural slab avalanche was reported on Thursday in the alpine. Click on the picture for full details.

Given its solitary appearance amid widespread recent traffic in the White Pass area, this is the kind of avalanche that suggests a quite isolated problem, but one that could be triggered by the weight of a person or machine in a suspect location.

Snowpack Summary

Variable conditions exist at all elevations, including crusty and wind-affected snow. Soft snow and good riding can still be found in sheltered north-facing terrain. New surface hoar has formed at treeline.

An older layer of surface hoar may be found down 20 - 60 cm in isolated north-facing terrain features. Check out the field team's MIN from Thursday for more.

A thick melt-freeze crust is buried 50 - 100 cm and exists below 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperatures near -3 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1 - 2 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. 30 - 40 km/h southwest alpine wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1 - 4 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 1 - 2 cm of new snow and 3-day snow totals of up to 15 cm. 55 - 70 km/h southwest alpine wind, increasing.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs exist near ridge crests. Most have stabilized in recent days, but slabs could prove surprisingly reactive in isolated areas where preserved surface hoar is buried.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5