Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 28th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
mbender,
Avalanche Canada
A persistent slab is slowly becoming more reactive as the load above it increases. The best way to manage this problem is to stick to conservative terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
In the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary. They occurred on northerly aspects between 1600 and 2000 m and were 50 to 80 cm thick.
Riders could trigger similar avalanches in the coming days. Persistent slab problems take a while to heal so giving them time is warranted.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 50 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 70 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 3-5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °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.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent new snow has been redistributed by wind blowing from a variety of directions.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering and has recently been triggered by riders.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 29th, 2024 4:00PM
