Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2019–Feb 24th, 2019

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Northwest Inland.

Sheltered areas offer the best and safest riding, as new snow and wind has likely formed reactive slabs at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods, moderate east wind, alpine temperatures drop to -18 C.SUNDAY: Sunny, moderate northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -15 C.MONDAY: Sunny, strong northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -13 C.TUESDAY: Sunny, strong northeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but the new snow has likely formed fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. Loose dry sluffing is also possible in steep terrain.A few small wind slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally on Wednesday. They were on all aspects, in steep terrain, and at treeline and alpine elevations. The slabs were generally 10 to 20 cm deep.

Snowpack Summary

The storm that began on Thursday delivered 15 to 30 cm of fluffy low density snow by Saturday morning. Winds are expected to shift from west to east over the weekend, meaning that new wind slabs will likely exist on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

15-30 cm of new low density snow is being blown into reactive slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed areas. These slabs may not bond well to underlying faceted snow.

Seek out sheltered areas where the new snow is unaffected by wind.Watch for patterns of wind loading as you venture into wind affected terrain.Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2