Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 13th, 2024–Feb 14th, 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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.

Watch for loose avalanches as the sun hits new snow for the first time.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported at the time of publishing on Tuesday.

A few large (size 2) wind slab avalanches were triggered with explosives in the south on Monday.

A rider accidentally triggered a small wind slab avalanche below treeline near Window Mountain on Sunday. The wind slab had formed further downslope than normal.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of light, dry snow fell near the Continental Divide on Tuesday with less as you go west.

Previous moderate to strong southwest wind developed wind slabs at all elevations. In sheltered spots, expect 30 to 50 cm over the thick rain crust from early February.

Below this crust, the shallow faceted snowpack is generally well consolidated. There are two crust layers, one in the midpack and another near the base of the snowpack, that have been unreactive.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, clearing. 15 to 35 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Wednesday

Clear skies. 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Clear skies. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Sun hitting new snow for the first time could trigger small loose avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Old wind slabs underneath the new snow. They may have formed further down the slope than normal, even halfway down.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5