Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 24th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
MM,
Avalanche Canada
Strong to Extreme winds are transporting the new snow rapidly and increasing the hazard to high. There is also a significant buried weak layer that could produce large avalanches.
Sunday would be a great day to slash some pow at your local hill.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few natural slab avalanches were initiated by the wind from the highway corridor on Sat, up to size 3 and reaching into the fan.
Natural slab avalanches as big as sz 2.5 were observed Thursday from the steep north facing terrain of Mt. Macdonald & Mt. Green.
On Wednesday, a field team triggered loose, moist avalanches below tree-line in steep, unsupported terrain.
Snowpack Summary
10-30cm of new snow is being redistributed by strong to extreme Southerly wind. Below this, the upper snowpack consists of well settled storm snow, thin sun crusts on steep solar aspects, and the faceted drought layer over the Feb 3rd crust (which is widespread below 2500m).
The mid to lower snowpack is we settled, except in isolated areas of the alpine where an unusually thin & faceted snowpack exists.
Weather Summary
A cold front approaches bringing snow and strong to extreme winds. As the storm passes, temps will drop.
Tonight: 6cm, Alp low -7°C, Strong to Extreme West wind, FZ Lvl: 1100m
Sun: 21cm, Alp high -5°C,, Strong SW wind gusting to 115km/hr, FZ Lvl: 1300m
Mon: Trace precip, Alp high -11°C,, Light SW wind gusting to 115km/hr, FZ Lvl: 500m
Tues: Cloudy with sunny periods, Alp Low -19°C, Moderate S wind, FZ Lvl: Valley Bottom
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
A fresh storm slab sits on a variety of good sliding surfaces. This problem will be more likely triggered on wind loaded lee slopes from strong to extreme winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Avalanche activity in the storm snow has the ability to step down to the Feb 03 melt freeze crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2024 4:00PM
