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.
wlewis,
Avalanche Canada
Reactive storm slabs will build over the day, as new snow falls on weak surfaces. Keep decision-making conservative and head to simple terrain if you see more than 30 cm of new snow.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Wind slab activity increased on Friday, with riders triggered size 1-2 wind slabs on Friday.
Natural avalanche activity is possible on Sunday as snow and wind develop sensitive slabs over weak snow surfaces.
Snowpack Summary
By Sunday evening, up to 40 cm of new snow is expected in Western areas, around 20 cm is expected for Whistler. This storm snow will fall over a variety of weak surfaces, including a crust on south facing slopes and low elevations, and faceted snow and/or small surface hoar in sheltered terrain. This facet/surface hoar layer is buried around 60-90 cm deep and is most prevalent at treeline and above.
The mid snowpack includes layers of facets and areas of isolated surface hoar found at treeline and above. Just below, a widespread, thick crust exists. This problematic combination remains a concern as load increases above it.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5-15 cm of snow expected. 40-60 km/h southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1200 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 20 cm of snow expected. 40-60 m/hr southwest winds gusting up to 90 km/hr in exposed high elevation areas. Treeline temperature -4 with freezing levels around 1200 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. 30-40 km/h westerly wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C with freezing level falling to 500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with no snow expected. 20-30 km/h westerly winds. Treeline temperature -10 °C with freezing levels at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Reactive storm slabs will build over the day as new snow accumulates over surface hoar or a crust. Deeper deposits are expected in north and east facing terrain around ridgelines.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
New snow increases the load over the buried weak layers. Small storm snow avalanches may have potential to step down to this layer to create a larger, more destructive avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2024 4:00PM
