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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 26th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla.

Dangerous avalanche conditions, natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Don't let storm day fever lure you into big terrain features

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a large naturally triggered storm slab avalanche was reported. Check this MIN for details.

Several explosive and skier-triggered avalanches (size 1 to 2) have been reported across the region since Wednesday.

With significant snowfall and strong wind in the forecast, the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches is primed to increase throughout the stormy period and remain elevated for several days.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of new snow is expected to fall by the end of the day Monday. This new snow will add to previous storm snow totals of around 10 to 30 cm.

In sheltered areas in parts of the region, surface hoar may be buried 30 to 60 cm.

A widespread crust exists down roughly 50 to 80 cm. In many areas, small, weak faceted grains have formed just above or below this crust.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 25 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.