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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2023–Feb 17th, 2023

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

Regions

Glacier.

An incoming storm will elevate hazard overnight and into tomorrow.

Limit exposure to terrain with overhead hazard, especially if more snow falls then forecasted.

Pay attention to cornices as they continue to grow through out the park. Give them a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Anticipating natural avalanches with new snow and wind spikes tonight and tomorrow.

No new natural avalanches were observed on Thursday along the highway corridor.

On Wednesday, isolated natural avalanches were observed up to size 2 in steep, north facing terrain off Mt. Macdonald, triggered by wind loading. Skiers east of the summit reported several soft slabs reactive to skiers down 5 cm. And reports of loose dry sluffing up to sz 1.0.

Snowpack Summary

The storm ending Friday morning will deliver 10-15 cm of fresh storm snow with light SW winds gusting to strong. This overlies a variety of surfaces including solar crusts formed Tuesday/Wednesday this week. And wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine.

Weather Summary

The majority of the snow will drop tonight, with moderate amounts forecast with a southwest flow. A brief drying trend develops following this storm, with the next low pressure system approaching Sunday.

Tonight: Flurries, 10 cm, Alp low -10*C, light gusting to Moderate SW winds,

Fri: Cloudy w/sun and flurries, Trace snow, Alp high -10*C, light to moderate W winds, Fz lvl: 600 m

Sat: Flurries, 6 cm, Alp high -10*C, light W winds gusting to strong, Fz lvl: 600 m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.