Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 27th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
lbaker,
Avalanche Canada
Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist at all elevations. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Natural avalanche activity is expected with heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, several small loose dry avalanches were reported below treeline.
Widespread natural avalanche activity is expected to begin on Wednesday as snow and wind develop sensitive storm slabs.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow accumulates over wind-affected surfaces and old wind slabs in exposed areas and 30 to 60 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas.
Multiple weak layers exist in the upper and mid snowpack. The most concerning weak layer is a widespread crust found down 60 to 100 cm, with weak, faceted snow immediately above it. This layer will need time to adjust to the new snow load.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing levels rise to 700 m through the night.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 30 to 50 cm of snow above the snow rain line. 60 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rises to 1200 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 4 to 9 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level drops to 800 m.
Friday
Partly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level rises to 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Problems
Storm Slabs
As storm snow continues to accumulate through the day watch for storm slabs becoming cohesive and increasingly reactive to triggers. Deeper deposits are expected in north and east facing terrain around ridgelines.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A problematic combination of weak faceted snow and/or surface hoar over a crust remains a concern at treeline. This layer will need time to adjust to the new snow load.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 28th, 2024 4:00PM
