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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2024–Feb 18th, 2024
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

Slab avalanches have been reactive to human triggers. This is most likely where the snow is wind affected.

Choose smaller test slopes before committing to large features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday and Saturday near Fernie, a couple of small (size 1) rider-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported.

On Thursday, three large (size 2) explosive triggered persistent slab avalanches were reported. These avalanches failed on the February melt freeze crust, 60 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine and open treeline terrain is generally wind-affected. In wind sheltered areas, 30 to 60 cm of settling snow sits on the rain crust formed in early February. In some places, weak, sugary crystals (facets) are starting to form over the crust.

There are crusts and facets in the mid and lower snowpack but they have not produced any recent avalanches.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear. No new snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 0-1 cm of snow expected. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level to 1000 m. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 1-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Recent storm snow and wind slabs overlie a melt freeze crust that was buried on February the 3rd. Test on small features before committing to larger terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are likely to be reactive just below ridgetops and in steep, alpine terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2