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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2024–Feb 21st, 2024
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
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
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: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, South Rockies.

Heightened avalanche conditions remain where winds formed slabs above a weak layer buried deep in the snowpack. Investigate the bond of slabs to surfaces below before committing to a slope.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, explosives control in the region produced a size 2 persistent slab avalanche that failed on faceted snow above the early February rain crust.

Snowpack Summary

Previous moderate to strong winds varying in direction, formed wind affected surfaces on all aspects and at all elevations. In terrain sheltered from the wind, expect 30 to 50 cm of snow over the thick rain crust that formed in early February. In some areas, weak, sugary facets have formed above this crust.

At treeline and below, a sun crust may be found on the surface on aspects that face the sun.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline around -2 °C. Freezing level to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high around -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at 1800 m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Freezing level at 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs may be reactive to human triggering in areas, where winds have formed a slab above a layer of facets overlying a crust. Avalanches on this layer could propagate wider and run farther than expected.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5