Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 17th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
A deep persistent slab problem remains a concern where the near-surface crust is thin.
Low-probability, high-consequence problems are best managed with conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday and Saturday, numerous small (size 1) dry loose and wind slab avalanches were reported in steep terrain. South of Golden, one large (size 2) avalanche was reported in extreme terrain on a west aspect in the alpine.
On Thursday numerous small (size 1) skier-triggered and natural wind slabs were reported on all aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of settling snow sits over a frozen crust that formed in early February. This crust is generally supportive to the weight of a human, but it gets thinner and less supportive in the alpine.
Consistent north winds in the alpine have been transporting available snow and building small wind slabs on lee features.
The midpack is generally faceted and the lower snowpack contains weak faceted grains, depth hoar, and crusts that continue to produce sporadic large avalanches.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Clear. No new snow expected. Light south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
Monday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -6 °C.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A weak layer near the base of the snowpack is a concern where a thick, strong, near-surface crust does not exist. This could be at higher elevations in the alpine and in steep, rocky, open features at treeline,
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Human triggered wind slab avalanches are still possible even as natural avalanche activity tapers off.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 18th, 2024 4:00PM
