Avalanche forecast

North Columbia

Feb 23 – 24, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Don’t let the new snow lure you into high consequence terrain.

In addition to the weak layers new snow has fallen on, we are still concerned about the layers from earlier this month.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    This layer may now be found down up to 65 cm. Avalanches releasing on this layer will likely be larger than they have been over the past week.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Up to 30 cm of new snow has formed a reactive storm slab. These slabs will be more reactive where they overlie facets or surface hoar.

    This new snow may run as a wet loose avalanche at lower elevations as the freezing level rises.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Numerous storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were  reported on Wednesday. Triggers included natural, human and remote. Avalanches occurred on a variety of aspects and generally at treeline and above. These avalanches all failed on weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack.

Numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were also reported. These avalanches were triggered in steep terrain below 2000 m.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30 cm of recent snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain and old wind slab on exposed slopes. Several crusts exist on sun exposed slopes and below treeline.

Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 to 50 cm in sheltered areas.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 40 to 65 cm and has sugary facets on top. In most places, this crust is widespread up to 2400 m.

The base of the snowpack is still loose and faceted in shallow rocky alpine areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 km/h west alpine wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 35 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising up to 1700 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 25 to 40 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level rising up to 1600 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 20 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level around 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered