Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mconlan, Avalanche Canada

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It remains possible that riders could trigger slab avalanches. The best riding will be found in terrain sheltered from the wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We didn't receive any reports of avalanche activity from Sunday. On Saturday there were a few small wind slabs triggered by riders near Kelowna.

Looking forward, it remains possible that riders could trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest wind redistributed the 10 to 20 cm of recent snow, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Soft snow may prevail in terrain sheltered from the wind.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This crust may have a weak layer of facets above it.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow then clearing. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Tuesday

Clear skies and afternoon clouds. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may remain triggerable to riders. Assess for slabs in lee terrain features prior to committing.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of facets may exist above a hard melt-freeze crust that formed in early February. Humans could trigger this layer, or smaller avalanches could step down and form large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2024 4:00PM