Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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Maintain a conservative approach, recent storm snow still needs time to stabilize and bond to surfaces below.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, explosive control work in the north of the region produced several storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 2 on various aspects and elevations.

Snowpack Summary

As much as 50 cm of new snow in areas has been redistributed by recent strong winds.

A variety of pre-existing surfaces exist below the new snow, including sun crusts on south-facing slopes and faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered north-facing terrain.

A widespread crust formed in early February is buried roughly 40 to 80 cm. This crust may be less prominent or not exist at high alpine elevations.

The mid and lower snowpack is largely faceted with depth hoar and a crust found at the bottom of the snowpack in many areas.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 8 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Good day to make conservative terrain choices.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Recent storm snow has accumulated over various potential weak layers and good sliding surfaces throughout the upper snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

New storm snow may overload a weak layer near the base of the snowpack creating very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

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