Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada lcrawley, Avalanche Canada

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

Summary

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.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing 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

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2024 4:00PM

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