Avalanche forecast

Northwest Inland

Feb 23 – 24, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

As winds intensify and some areas receive new snow, keep an eye out for wind slab development in steep, exposed alpine terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Increasing wind and new snow may create wind slabs in lee terrain. Surface slabs may sit atop a variety of weak grain types and/or hard surfaces.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small (size 1) wind slab avalanche was triggered on Thursday by a sledder. It occurred on a steep alpine slope where a firm wind slab sat atop a weak faceted, shallow snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Any new snow will bury generally faceted and wind-affected surfaces. Winds will redistribute any loose surface snow into lee terrain features.

In steep, exposed alpine terrain, old, hard wind slabs may sit atop weak faceted crystals and a crust, down roughly 20 to 30 cm from the surface.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clouds building overnight with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
  • Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

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