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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2024–Feb 23rd, 2024

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

Regions

North Rockies, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Keep an eye on conditions throughout the day and be prepared to fall back to more conservative terrain.

Wind slab size and sensitivity will increase throughout the day.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Only small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain have been reported in the past couple days.

We expect wind slab avalanches to be rider triggerable in areas that receive more than 10 cm on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow could accumulate throughout Friday. This will add to the 5 cm that buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar  and facets in sheltered terrain, a crust on south and west facing slopes as well as old wind slab on exposed terrain.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 5 to 40 cm. This crust may have a layer of facets above it.

The remainder of the snowpack is settled and not concerning.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clear skies. 40 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 40 to 70 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -7°C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.