Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 22nd, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada isnowsell, Avalanche Canada

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As winds intensify and some areas receive new snow, keep an eye out for wind slab development in steep, exposed alpine terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small (size 1) wind slab avalanche was triggered on Thursday by a sledder. It occurred on a steep alpine slope where a firm wind slab sat atop a weak faceted, shallow snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Any new snow will bury generally faceted and wind-affected surfaces. Winds will redistribute any loose surface snow into lee terrain features.

In steep, exposed alpine terrain, old, hard wind slabs may sit atop weak faceted crystals and a crust, down roughly 20 to 30 cm from the surface.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clouds building overnight with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
  • Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Increasing wind and new snow may create wind slabs in lee terrain. Surface slabs may sit atop a variety of weak grain types and/or hard surfaces.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2024 4:00PM