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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2024–Feb 23rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Recent avalanches in the region indicate that the potential for rider triggering remains possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, several explosive-controlled and naturally occurring avalanches sizes 1.5 to 2, were observed in the Lizard Range. They were a variety of storm slabs, persistent slabs and loose wet avalanches.

On Tuesday, a skier accidentally triggered a small (size 1) avalanche on the persistent layer described in the snowpack summary.

On Monday, a group of skiers triggered a persistent slab, photo is below. For full details check this MIN.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of snow recently fell across the region. This snow may have been blown onto lee slopes creating wind slabs. Steep south and west facing slopes have a sun crust. In wind-sheltered areas, 30 to 60 cm of settled snow sits on an old rain crust. This crust remains a concern due to a layer of weak facets that have formed overtop, making it susceptible to human triggering. The snowpack is generally deeper and more consolidated in the Lizard Range and Flathead, and shallower and more faceted to the north of Sparwood and east of the continental divide.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow, 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around -7 °C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible, 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around 0 °C, freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 2 to 6 cm of snow / light rain below 1500 m, 25 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around -3 °C,

Sunday

Cloudy with 5 to 20 cm of snow / light to moderate rain below 1500 m, 25 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around -2 °C,

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.