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.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive wind slabs can be found on all aspects
Small avalanches may step down to weak layers, producing larger avalanches than you may expect.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural wind slab activity continues to be reported, along with natural persistent slabs to size 1.5 in below treeline areas near Ningunsaw.
We expect natural activity to taper off, but human triggering still remains possible.
Snowpack Summary
20-50 cm of recent, wind-affected snow sits over a variety of weak surfaces including facets, or surface hoar over a crust in sheltered areas - all of which will be slow to bond.
Another layer of weak, faceted crystals and a crust are buried 40-70 cm deep. Check out this MIN for a great snowpack summary from Hankin on Tuesday.
The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20-30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C. Isolated flurries possible.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with possible flurries. 30-40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures vary from -8 °C in the south, to -12 °C in the north.
Friday
Partly cloudy with possible flurries. 30-50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -10 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with possible flurries. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -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.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind loading near ridgelines, and in features like cross-loaded gullies or ribs
The most reactive slabs will likely form on north/east facing slopes. Old slabs on other aspects may remain triggerable as they sit over weak layers
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak sugary facets or surface hoar on a hard crust could still be human-triggerable, most likely in north facing terrain features where facets are most easily preserved.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 29th, 2024 4:00PM
